Weight stigma: five unspoken truths

Weight stigma – a negative response to a person based on weight – is the fourth most common form of social discrimination among adults – after age, sex and race. It is the only form of discrimination still widely recognized socially acceptable.

Weight stigma is also one of the most misunderstood aspects of obesity. As such, it is often ignored. Increased awareness of stigma and its effects could help reduce current high levels.

Campaigns to increase public understanding of weight stigma have been launched, such as World Obesity Day 2018 of the World Federation of Obesity. Here are five shocking facts about weight stigma that you may not be aware of:

1. Obese people can develop eating disorders

Research has shown that weight-related stigma and its emotional effects are significantly associated with all measures of eating disorder. Public messages strongly focused on personal blame may lead individuals to adopt maladaptive eating behaviors, including dietary restrictions, bulimia attacks and purges to become "healthy". In fact, it is estimated that about 80 to 85% of people with eating disorders are not underweight. Treatment of eating disorders can also take longer for obese people.

2. Weight-related stigma can cause many health problems attributed to obesity

Discrimination weighs heavily on mental health and can lead to chronic stress. This has been shown to have a significant impact on physical health. Stress can have a negative effect on blood sugar, blood fat, blood pressure, cardiovascular health, as well as resistance to insulin and visceral fat.

3. Weight stigma can promote weight gain

This diagram represents what researchers call the cyclical pattern of stigma based on the weight of obesity.

It shows how weight-related stigma has been proven to cause stress and therefore can lead to specific eating behaviors that can lead to weight gain. In addition to being cruel, the repetitive nature of this cycle means that weight stigma is a key contributor to the prevalence of obesity.

4. Stigma is often perpetrated by friends and family, not by strangers

Negative assumptions and cruel comments from friends and family members have been reported as one of the most common experiences of weight-related stigma. Research has shown that stigma experienced by family and friends is directly related to coping strategies such as increased food consumption and binge eating.

5. Weight bias can be internalized by individuals

A widespread bias and stigma can lead individuals to believe that the negative stereotypes attributed to them are true and that they deserve the stigma they are so often victims of. It has even been shown that this self-disparaging reaction persists in people who have lost weight. Internalized biases have been associated with an increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts and acts.

A marginal question

Obesity is a global problem that the majority of the population is perfectly aware of. The central message in the current narrative surrounding obesity is that it is a growing problem that harms health and requires action and intervention. Although every aspect of this central message is valid, a crucial element of the puzzle is missing.

Weight stigma is a serious problem and many aspects of it are currently absent from conversations about obesity. The role of weight stigma is a fundamental factor that needs to be addressed and addressed.

The consequences of stigmatization can be catastrophic and greater sensitivity to it must be demonstrated. The type of resources provided by organizations such as the World Obesity Federation can help government officials, media professionals, health care providers and the general public to learn more about how to proceed.

If we want to improve the health of our societies, weight stigma can no longer be ignored in obesity actions, interventions, and policies. Raising awareness of this problem is the first step towards reducing its prevalence – and preventing weight stigma from continuing to be the most socially acceptable form of discrimination.

Explore further:
Men may experience weight stigma as much as women