Is the stigma around weight just as harmful as obesity itself?

Obesity often grabs the headlines, sparking debates filled with myths and misunderstandings. 

But is the misinformation surrounding obesity more than just misleading? Could it have harmful effects on those who experience it? The stigma attached to weight isn't a minor issue - it's a serious problem that jeopardises the health and happiness of many.

How weight stigma affects healthcare

Weight stigma is shockingly common in healthcare settings, creating barriers to proper treatment and increasing health inequalities. People with obesity often face negative attitudes from healthcare professionals, who might unconsciously (and wrongly) consider them lazy or lacking self-control.¹ 

Research shows that 42% of people feel uncomfortable talking about their weight with their doctor, which leads many to avoid seeing a doctor altogether, even for essential screenings like cancer checks.² This environment misses the point of healthcare, which is supposed to be a safe space where everyone feels respected and cared for, no matter their size.

These feelings also extend to patients seeking help from weight loss programmes. According to Numan's 2025 lifestyle questionnaire, about 44% of individuals reported that very few people, if any, are aware that they are seeking help from a structured programme.

Effects on physical and mental health

The negative health effects of weight stigma are serious and multifaceted. Studies have shown that weight stigma can lead to increased stress, another driver of weight, and higher levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, indicating that the stress of stigma can worsen health issues linked to obesity.³ 

This stigma not only raises the risk of physical health problems but also affects mental health, causing depression, anxiety, and a lower quality of life.⁴ The emotional impact of stigma can also lead to unhealthy eating habits like binge eating, which creates a difficult cycle for those trying to lose weight.⁵

How can we solve this?

To tackle weight stigma, we need to change how we talk about obesity. Here are some key steps forward:

1. Change the conversation: Public messages should focus on promoting healthy habits rather than just losing weight. They should be more empathetic and avoid blaming those with obesity.¹

2. Educate healthcare workers: Healthcare professionals should be trained to recognise and change any negative attitudes they might have toward patients with obesity.³

3. Implement protective laws: Recognising weight-based discrimination as a real issue and creating laws to protect people can help change societal attitudes.⁶

4. Influence media: Encourage media outlets to use respectful language and images. This can help change how society views obesity, making it more understanding and supportive.⁶

The numan take

The bottom line from the research is clear: weight stigma can seriously impact a person's health, often making the challenges of obesity even worse. To help those affected, we must aim to create more supportive environments and change negative perceptions. Understanding the complex nature of obesity and aiming to reduce the stigma surrounding it isn’t just a health necessity – it’s the right thing to do.

References

1. Brown, A., Flint, S. W., & Batterham, R. L. (2022). Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma. eClinicalMedicine, 47, 101408.

2. All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity. (2018). The Current Landscape of Obesity Services. Retrieved from https://obesityappg.com/inquiries.

3. Sutin, A. R., Stephan, Y., & Terracciano, A. (2014). Perceived weight discrimination and C-reactive protein. Obesity, 22, 1959-1961.

4. Emmer, C., Bosnjak, M., & Mata, J. (2020). The association between weight stigma and mental health: A meta-analysis. Obesity Reviews, 21, e12935.

5. Nicolau, J., et al. (2023). Effects of weight stigma on BMI and inflammatory markers among people living with obesity. Physiology & Behaviour, 262, 114088.

6. Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Obesity stigma: Important considerations for public health. American Journal of Public Health, 100(6), 1019-1028.