What term describes a physical characteristic that labels an individual as having lower social value?

The term that most accurately describes a physical characteristic that labels an individual as having lower social value is stigma. Stigma refers to a set of negative beliefs or attitudes that society holds about a particular attribute or characteristic. When someone is labeled as having lower social value due to their physical appearance, this reflects stigma.

Stigmatization can manifest in various forms, such as social exclusion or discrimination, and it often leads individuals who are stigmatized to experience prejudice or social isolation based on their attributes. Understanding stigma is crucial in the context of obesity and public health, as individuals with obesity may face significant stigma which can affect their mental health and the way they are treated by society.

In contrast, bias refers to an inclination or preference that can be positive or negative, discrimination involves actions taken to treat people unfairly based on characteristics, and prejudice denotes preconceived opinions or judgments about individuals or groups without sufficient knowledge. Therefore, stigma is the most fitting term that indicates the social labeling of individuals based on their physical traits.