Weight Bias and Stigma: Implications for Access to Obesity Care

Föreläsare: Ximena Ramos Salas, PhD, Chair Bias180

Måndag 4 mars, kl 8.00-9.00

Föreläsningen kommer att hållas på engelska

Weight bias and stigma refers to negative beliefs, attitudes, and stereotypes about individuals due to their weight. Beliefs that individuals with a higher weight or those living with obesity are lazy, gluttonous, less intelligent, unmotivated, and lacking willpower are pervasive in our society. Individuals with obesity face stigma in multiple settings, such as healthcare, education, employment, mass media, within families, and in public spaces. Stigma can be subtle or overt and can occur verbally, physically or through victimization.

It can also be manifested in discriminatory practices in healthcare, education, in the workplace, thus undermining human rights. Studies in North America and Europe indicate that 58% of adults report at least one experience of weight stigma in their life. The consequences of weight stigma are substantial and can include: increased risk for chronic stress and type 2 diabetes, poor psychological outcomes such as anxiety, body dissatisfaction, eating disorders; reduced healthcare utilization; and higher premature mortality risk.

There is a critical need to raise awareness about the impact of weight stigma among healthcare professionals, teachers, policy makers, the media, and the general public. As a society we need to critically reflect on what is necessary to protect the rights of all individuals, regardless of their weight or health condition. Interventions are needed to reduce obesity stigma in healthcare to ensure that individuals living with obesity can fully engage in care without fear of stigma or discrimination.

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