Weight bias refers to negative attitudes and discrimination directed at people because of their body weight.
In it WebMD Webinar “The Impact of Weight Bias” Joe Nadglowski explained that it is common in our society, including among doctors and other health care providers.
“Somehow, we have made it possible for people living with obesity ‘bad’, and that’s a problem,” he said. “It’s actually making this problem worse for those of us living with obesity.”
It can affect almost every aspect of your life:
Career. When living with obesity, research shows that employers often think you are:
- You are less likely to have leadership potential.
- You are unlikely to be successful at work
- less qualified
And if you do get hired, research shows you’ll likely have a lower starting salary. This bias affects women even more.
“This discrimination is not illegal in most places,” Nadglowski said. “So it’s important that we actually educate hiring managers about these unintended biases they have toward people with obesity.”
Health. You may not expect to find weight bias among healthcare providersbut studies show that it is not uncommon.
“We don’t actually teach most healthcare providers about obesity in their training,” Nadglowski said.
This can lead to lower-quality care for people living with obesity, he said. Doctors may not spend as much time with you, and they may offer you fewer treatment options than they do to other patients, research shows.
So it’s no surprise that people living with obesity are more likely to delay or cancel medical appointments to avoid judgment from medical professionals, studies show.
But tools and training are becoming more available for obesity healthcare. Hopefully this will help decrease weight bias in medical settings, Nadglowski says.
Family, friends and society. Unfortunately, it is common for people living with obesity to face the most weight bias and stigma from their own friends and family.
This includes:
- More social rejection from peers
- Low quality of personal relationships.
- Less success at school or work.
While some may feel like they need to “motivate” or push you to lose weight, Nadglowski says that’s actually harmful.
“The data is very clear. If you stigmatize, blame and shame someone because of her body weight, he’s not going to lose weight,” she said.
“In fact, the opposite will happen, because they will overeat, engage in unhealthy weight management, or face stigma by eating more food.”
Of the different types of media listed in a webinar survey, about half of the respondents said they notice more weight bias in TV shows. More than 30% said they notice it more in fashion magazines.
In another survey, a third of respondents said they were surprised to learn that weight bias can lead to obesity.
“What is the first step if you feel you have experienced weight bias from a doctor?”
“What is the best way to find a doctor who is not weight biased?”
“What is your advice to someone dealing with the dual discrimination of weight and mental health biases?”
Ask your doctor if your treatment options would be different if you had a smaller frame. If so, ask for the same care.
In some cases, this can help your doctor realize you have weight bias. It can help them think differently. But if they continue to show bias, it would be wise to find another doctor.
To find doctors with obesity training, ask if they are certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine. Or, search for locations known as Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence and call them for a list of qualified physicians. You can also use the Obesity Action Coalition’s provider locator at enobeesitycareproviders.com.
It is very difficult to deal with weight bias and mental health bias at the same time. If you live with both conditions, you may be taking mental health medications that make it hard to control or lose weight. Nadglowski says it’s crucial to find a doctor who understands all of your needs.
You may need to try a few doctors before you find a good fit.
“It’s often a bit hit or miss,” he said. “Find someone who treats you with compassion, dignity and respect. It makes all the difference in the world.”
“What is the best approach for someone living with obesity whose family members stigmatize rather than support them?”
“As a mother who is overweight, how can I be a healthy role model for my children about accepting my body, but also wanting to lose weight?”
If you have unsupportive family members, it’s important to address the issue early on.
Nadglowski says that it may be helpful to share some of the information from this webinar. That can help them reframe the way they view obesity. Tell them that it is useless and hurtful to hear unsupportive comments.
“It’s important that you put your foot down in those situations,” says Nadglowski. “And if you need additional resources on how to do it, or resources to share with your family, please contact us at obesityaction.org.”
To set a good example for the youth in your life, model healthy behaviors. If you’re on a weight loss journey, focus on good habits that support weight loss rather than a certain “ideal” body size, appearance, or the scale.
“How does weight bias affect educational opportunities and achievement?”
“How does weight bias affect those trying to recover from anorexia and other eating disorders?”
A study on weight bias tracked graduate students based on their body size, grades, and acceptance into graduate programs.
“The study showed that people with obesity had better grades, but had lower interview scores and actually had less acceptance into graduate programs,” Nadglowski said. This shows how assumptions about the character and behavior of people living with obesity can affect decisions.
Weight bias doesn’t just affect those living with obesity. “Bias and stigma actually work both ways,” he says. “When we talk about weight bias, it could also be for people who are underweight.”
The health consequences of being underweight are often like those of being overweight. Communities working with eating disorders support efforts to combat weight bias.
“People’s body size is their business,” says Nadglowski.
“Unless you’re invited to comment on someone’s body size, I encourage you not to participate in that. Even if you think you’re being complimented, it’s possible that people are losing weight because they have an eating disorder. People may be losing weight because they have cancer. It’s not always appropriate to congratulate someone on these issues.”
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