The Stigmas Of Being Overweight

It’s no secret. There are many stigmas of being overweight or obese, and these stigmas are extremely prevalent in Western society and, truly, worldwide. Constant media attention on "overweight" stars who are not at all heavy in reality, subconscious prejudicing of overweight people by adults and children, and the portrayal of overweight people in television and movies as bad or stupid are all aspects of this stigmatization. "There's evidence that overweight people are discriminated against in many areas, for example, less likely to get promotions at work. "Given that the majority of the population is overweight this is the first example of prejudice and discrimination for a trait that the majority of the population have," says Dr. Howard Rankin, the medical expert for the social networking website, DietTV.com.

What is a stigma?

A stigma is a negative connotation that can be associated with a person, a trait, or even an idea. A stigma may be legitimate or contrived. It may be held by a society or by a small group. Often a stigma is the result of unfair attitudes or biases, though stigmas can also be justified.

How does the stigma of being overweight hurt people?

The widespread stigmas that overweight people are lazy, unmotivated, or stupid have a profound effect on their ability to lose weight. According to studies by researchers at the Yale University Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity (http://www.yaleruddcenter.org), the stigmatization and bullying of overweight children by their peers may result in higher likelihood of suicidal thoughts and eating disorders. Overweight children as young as three may experience the effects of this stigma from their peers, teachers and even parents.

Teasing and unpleasant behavior from others as a result of being overweight is not outgrown when people leave school, either. "The obese are stigmatized and treated differently in many ways. For example, people are less likely to hold a door open for an obese woman. One of my clients was minding her business shopping in the local supermarket when a complete stranger reached into her cart, pulled out the bag of potato chips and said, 'You don't need these,' " explains Dr. Rankin when describing a case of adult bullying.

The belief that overweight people are lazy and unmotivated can even be held by people as important as the family doctor. An overweight or obese person receiving healthcare from a person who looks down upon them is likely to feel powerless in their weight loss battle. A doctor should be a key ally in weight loss, and when that individual is stigmatizing overweight patients it can cause a severe lack of motivation and positive change.

It has been found that even overweight and obese people hold these same damaging stigmas. This can lead to unhealthy self-deprecation and a loss of will power because many people who are overweight attribute negative personality traits with their weight. This is damaging and unhealthy behavior, especially when trying to lose weight.

How do stigmas make it more difficult to lose weight?

Associating with friends and family members who are unsupportive can make losing weight even more difficult. When people are surrounded by negative or "nay-saying" individuals, they not only have their own tough battle to fight, but an external battle against negativity as well. This can make an already difficult task nearly impossible.

The front cover images of supposedly "overweight" stars in their bikinis are another result of the stigma that can make it difficult to lose weight. Constant attention to the minor flaws of otherwise beautiful, fit people can truly marginalize overweight individuals who are working hard to lose weight. When, at home on the scale a woman feels proud at her loss of five pounds, and an hour later she is greeted by the headline, "Jennifer Love Hewitt Getting Fat" and an unflattering photo of an otherwise beautiful and slim actress, her feelings of pride and accomplishment can quickly be dashed.

It is easy to give in to common misperceptions. When the society is barraged every day by the belief that overweight people are lazy and unmotivated, those same people are likely to give up or give in to the stigma. It is a difficult task to turn off the sensitivity to these messages, but it is possible.

What can be done to reduce this stigma?

Openly discuss the stigma of being overweight to make people aware of their biases. Most people would not feel comfortable realizing that they are marginalizing and judging people just because of their weight. For the most part it is a subconscious effort, propelled by the media messages projected every day. By bringing the stigma out into the open, people have a better chance at dislodging it from their psyche.

Are there friendly, stigma-free weight loss solutions?

The first step in healthy weight loss is to consult a doctor. It is important to get to know a doctor’s history, and find out whether she stigmatizes patients for being overweight. It is easy to tell by judging her attitude and comments as soon as the patient steps off the scale. If a doctor makes a patient feel uncomfortable, lazy or unable to lose weight, it is time to pick a new one.

Anyone who is attempting to lose weight should be sure to surround herself with supportive, caring friends and family members. She should be open about her goals and ask explicitly for a helping and motivating hand. A support structure through such a difficult change can be the most important asset.

One of the best ways to get a supportive group is to find a weight loss group comprised of like minded members. This way ideas, tips, and struggles can be shared by a friendly and empathetic community. Perhaps this is as easy as a spouse or best friend, or perhaps it is best to join a local dieting community or online dieting community like DietTV.com. Such groups can be the catalyst needed to shed the obesity stigma and achieve healthy weight loss.