Apart from obesity-related health care costs in South Africa, obesity is also seen to have far-reaching effects that seep into labour market outcomes. Using National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS) panel data, this study aims to examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and employment status as well as wage levels of individuals to identify the optimal level of BMI from the labour market perspective in South Africa. Thereafter, the article uses ethnicity-backed obesity thresholds to measure the discrimination obese individuals face on the probability of becoming employed and their wages earned once employed.