The Stigma of Obesity

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Our society puts slender people on a pedestal and turns it nose up to obese people. They are commonly described as gluttonous, lazy, stupid and worthless. You will hear comedians make fat jokes, while focusing on the slender and muscular. Many people treat obese people as if it is entirely their fault. Maybe in some cases, but not always. But medical personnel, who are trained to recognize obesity as a disease, often are biased against obesity, too. They know that it is often caused by the environments and genetics, as well as overeating and lack of exercise. Doctors have described overweight people as 'lacking in self-control'. Nurses have stated their unease with working with obese people, and sometimes feeling disgusted by them, and some have reported they would rather not work with these patients. Med students have described them as depressed, not attractive and not 'compliant'. Even dieticians have reported negativity towards working with obese patients. Also, obese women are less likely to get cancer screenings for cervical and breast neoplasms. Health care practitioners should know better. This should be emphasized in their training. Source: Williams' Essentials of Nutrition and Diet Therapy