Table of contentsWhat is weight stigma?Health careEducationInterpersonal situationsMediaWhat are the consequences of weight stigma?Physical and mental health consequencesHealth physical and physiological consequencesMental health and psychological consequencesHow are children affected by weight stigma? ConclusionThe social consequences of overweight and obesity are serious and pervasive. People who are overweight or obese will be targets of stigmatization. Then they are also exposed to negative impressions in their lives, for example in the workplace, at university, in medical institutions, in the media and also in personal matters. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get an original essay What is weight stigma? In ancient Greece, a stigma was a mark carved into the skin of a person a slave or a criminal to symbolize shame. In the 1500s, the word brand literally meant “to mark or tattoo.” Nowadays, to stigmatize is to embarrass or label a person in a more symbolic way. However, the stigmatization of obesity is not new, as it was heralded centuries ago by behaviors stemming from then-still-existing theories about the emergence of obesity. Stigma generally refers to bad behavior that influences interpersonal interactions and activities in unreliable ways. Then, stigma can also take any form, such as verbal stigmas, for example touching, teasing, insults, stereotyping, name-calling or others. Another form of stigma is physical stigma which involves touching, grabbing or other antagonistic behavior, or other barriers and obstacles due to weight, such as medical equipment that is too small for obese patients, chairs or seats in a public space that cannot accommodate an obese person. , or stores that do not offer large size clothing. In a supreme form, stigma can manifest through soft or hard discrimination, such as in workplace discrimination where an obese employee is denied a position or qualification because of their appearance, despite being suitably qualified . Where does weight stigma occur? Employment Weight stigma occurs in multiple contexts and by a wide range of individuals. For example, in the workplace, overweight people may face bias from multiple sources. Studies have shown that weight stigma manifests itself in multiple forms of employment discrimination against employees who are overweight or obese. These include difficulty obtaining employment, poorer job placement, lower wages and compensation, unjustified denial of promotions, harsher discipline, unfair dismissal, and common derogatory jokes and comments from co-workers and supervisors. In a review by Puhl et al. found that overweight and obese employees report their weight as the main contributing factor to job loss. Another study found that some oversimplifications regarding overweight and obese employees are highly valued by employers and supervisors, particularly that they perform worse on the job and lack interpersonal skills, motivation and self-control. Giel and colleagues (2010). Other research showsthat overweight employees are attributed with many problems including being lazy, careless and less competent, lack of discipline, unpleasant character, fewer vices and bad role models. Additionally, overweight employees may experience wage penalties because they tend to be paid less for the same work, are more likely to work in lower-paying jobs, and are less likely to be promoted than those who are overweight. slim people with the same qualifications. , Puhl and colleagues found that numerous studies provide evidence supporting the idea that healthcare professionals (including doctors, nurses, medical students, fitness professionals, and dietitians) consistently endorse Negative stereotypes about overweight and obese patients, particularly attributing guilt to them for their weight status. Weight stigma in health care settings leads to impaired patient-provider communication, poorer doctor-patient relationships, poorer medical care and treatment (e.g., doctors spend less time time with patients) and avoidance of the health system on the part of patients. patient. However, it is important to emphasize that the data reviewed so far come primarily from self-reported studies. Therefore, Puhl and colleagues concluded that research examining actual health outcomes is needed. Overall, the impact of weight stigma in health care has become so problematic that many researchers have suggested that obesity prevention programs should make minimizing stigma a priority. EducationPuhl and colleagues (2009) concluded from their review of weight stigma in education that this area still merits further investigation, but current trends indicate that overweight and obese students face barriers to academic success at all levels of education. The research reviewed demonstrates that educators, particularly physical education teachers, report artificial attitudes toward their overweight and obese students, which can harm academic achievement. Importantly, educational disparities among overweight and obese students appear to be greatest among students attending schools where obesity is not the norm. Several studies have shown that in such environments, overweight or obese students face greater educational disadvantages and are less likely to attend college, an effect that is particularly strong among women. Additionally, weight stigma in educational settings also affects interpersonal relationships (see “Interpersonal Situations” below). In school settings, overweight or obese students may experience harassment and teasing from peers, as well as negative attitudes from teachers and other educators. At the college level, some research shows that qualified overweight students, particularly women, are less likely to be accepted into college than their normal-weight peers. Interpersonal situations Although a less researched topic than employment and health care, several studies reviewed by Puhl and colleagues (2009) demonstrate that overweight and obese women, in particular, face to weight-related stigma from many interpersonal sources, including family, friends, and romantic partners. Another recent study by Puhl and Suh (2015) also showed that inIn school settings, weight-based bullying is one of the most prevalent types of harassment reported by parents, teachers, and students. Interpersonal weight stigma is linked to a myriad of negative physical and mental health consequences (see “Physical and Mental Health Consequences of Weight Stigma” below). MediaPuhl et al. (2009) also examined how, in entertainment, news reporting, and advertising, the media is a particularly potent source of weight stigma. News reports have blamed overweight and obese people for various societal problems, including fuel prices, global temperature trends and precipitous weight gain among their peers. The literature also documents how, in television programs, overweight and obese actors often play minor roles, if at all. The programs also often depict them as targets of teasing and derogation and often feature heavy characters displaying stereotypical eating behaviors linked to overweight and obesity. This relatively low social status attributed to overweight and obese characters on television is also found in children's television, a trend that perpetuates artifactual attitudes among viewers. Regarding media attention to obesity itself, a recent study by Puhl and Suh (2015) found that obesity-related media campaigns that used stigmatizing messages actually undermined motivations and intentions to adopt healthy eating behaviors and exercise. What are the consequences of weight? stigma? Despite decades of research documenting continued stigma and discrimination against obese people, weight stigma is rarely addressed in obesity prevention and treatment efforts. In recent years, evidence has examined weight stigma as a unique driver of negative health outcomes and behaviors that may promote and exacerbate obesity. This review summarizes the results of studies published over the past 4 years examining the relationship between weight stigma and maladaptive eating behaviors (binge eating and increased food consumption), physical activity, weight status ( weight gain and loss and development of obesity) and physiological responses to stress. . Research assessing the effects of weight stigma present in obesity-related public health campaigns is also highlighted. The evidence collectively demonstrates the negative implications of stigma on health correlates and weight-related behaviors and suggests that combatting weight stigma in obesity prevention and treatment is a war. declaimed. Among obese adults, research has shown that people with weight stigma have higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and poorer psychological adjustment. Some obese adults may respond to weight stigma by internalizing and accepting negative attitudes toward themselves, which may in turn increase their vulnerability to low self-esteem. Because societal messages often perpetuate the belief that weight is under personal control, obese people may be less likely to challenge stereotypes because they may attempt to escape stigma by losing weight. Stigma can also have negative consequenceson eating behaviors by interfering with weight loss attempts and leading some adults to eat more in response to stigmatizing encounters. Stigma also has implications for physical health in the context of avoidance of health care services due to bias in medical settings. It is unclear whether, or to what extent, stigma exacerbates poor self-care behaviors or contributes to additional complications and comorbidities of obesity. Physical and Mental Health Consequences Among adults and children with overweight and obesity, several reviews of the literature have found that, in various studies, there is a consistent relationship between weight stigma and many outcomes. negative in terms of mental and physical health. These will be discussed separately in the sections below, although it should be noted that physical and mental health consequences are often linked, particularly those related to eating disorders. Physical Health and Physiological Consequences Papadopoulos and Brennan (2015) recently found that in many studies reviewed, relationships emerged between weight stigma and BMI and difficulty losing weight among adults seeking weight loss treatment. of weight. However, the results are somewhat mixed. They also report evidence that weight stigma is linked to poor medication adherence. Among adults seeking weight loss treatment, weight stigma may exacerbate weight-related and health-related quality of life. This review as well as those of Vartanian and Smyth (2013) and Puhl and Suh (2015) also found that in several studies and among adults and children, weight stigma is linked to an overall decrease in physical behavior, decreased motivation to exercise, decreased exercise self-efficacy, and increased food cravings and tendency to overeat. Importantly, these effects of weight stigma on exercise and physical activity appear independent of body mass index, suggesting that weight stigma becomes a unique barrier to activity. physical fitness outside the barriers that may be associated with overweight and obesity in particular. Finally, in numerous studies, Puhl and Suh (2015) also found that weight stigma is also linked to many physiological consequences, including increased blood pressure, increased cortisol reactivity, elevated oxidative stress, impaired glycemic control/elevated HbA1c and increased systemic inflammation, all of which have notable consequences for physical health and disease. Mental health and psychological consequences Generally speaking, weight stigma is associated with psychological distress. Papadopoulos' 2015 review of the literature found that, in several studies, this distress can manifest as anxiety, depression, lowered self-esteem, and use disorders. of substances, both among individuals seeking weight loss treatment and in community samples. Numerous empirical studies have shown that weight stigma has clear consequences for people with eating and weight disorders (including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder), because it plays a unique role, beyond other risk factors, in perpetuating eating disorder psychopathology. These results emerged insamples of adults and adolescents as well as in men and women. Of note, the studies included in these reviews reported that their results exceeded the degree of overweight/obesity in their respective subjects, suggesting that weight stigma, in particular, and not just overweight or obesity , precipitates these negative results. Are children affected by weight stigma? Overweight or obese children are also targets of stigma and may be particularly vulnerable to the consequences of prejudice. Negative attitudes toward obese youth develop in children as young as three years old, and children attribute multiple negative characteristics to their overweight peers, including being mean, stupid, ugly, unhappy , lazy and having few friends. Peers are often the perpetrators of weight-related teasing and derogatory names, and school is a frequent site of stigma. Prejudice and stigma have negative implications on children's emotional well-being. Research shows that children who are targets of weight stigma internalize negative attitudes and blame themselves for the negative social experiences they face. Research on adolescents has shown that weight-related teasing is associated with low self-esteem and depression, and that overweight adolescents are more likely to be socially isolated. Most alarming are recent studies demonstrating a positive association between obesity and suicide attempts among young people. The stigma is due to obesity. What is obesity? Obesity is a condition in which a person has accumulated so much body fat that it could have a negative effect on their health. If a person's body weight is at least 20% more than it should be, they are considered obese. If your body mass index (BMI) is between 25 and 29.9, you are considered overweight. If your BMI is 30 or more, you are considered obese. What is body mass index (BMI)? Body mass index (BMI) is a statistical measure derived from your height and weight. Although it is considered a useful way to estimate healthy body weight, it does not measure body fat percentage. Measuring BMI can sometimes be misleading: a muscular man may have a high BMI but much less fat than an unfit person with a lower BMI. However, in general, measuring BMI can be a useful indicator for the "average person." Why do people become obese? People can become obese for many different reasons. Here are some of the most common ones: Consuming too many calories. People these days eat a lot more food than previous generations. Previously, this was only the case in developed countries. However, the trend has spread around the world. Despite billions of dollars spent on awareness campaigns to encourage people to eat healthily, the majority of us continue to overeat. In 1980, 14% of the U.S. adult population was obese; in 2000, this figure reached 31% (The Obesity Society). In the United States, calorie consumption increased from 1,542 per day for women in 1971 to 1,877 per day in 2004. The figures for men were 2,450 in 1971 and 2,618 in 2004. Most People would expect this increase in calories to be made up of fat – that's not the case! Most of the increase in food consumption is carbohydrates (sugars). Increased consumption of sugary drinks hascontributed significantly to the increase in carbohydrate consumption among most young American adults over the past three decades. Fast food consumption has tripled over the same period. Various other factors are also believed to have contributed to the increased calorie and carbohydrate intake in the United States. In 1984, the Reagan administration freed advertising of sweets and fast foods aimed at children - regulations had previously set limits. The agricultural policies of most developed countries have led to much cheaper food production. The US Farm Bill meant that the source of processed foods came from subsidized wheat, corn and rice. Corn, wheat and rice have become much cheaper than fruits and vegetables. Leading a Sedentary Life With the advent of televisions, computers, video games, remote controls, washing machines, dishwashers, and other modern appliances, people generally lead much more sedentary lives. A few decades ago, shopping consisted of walking down the main street where you could find grocery stores, bakeries, banks, etc. As large supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centers began to appear, people stopped using their feet to drive their cars to stock up on groceries. In some countries, such as the United States, car dependence has become so strong that many people drive even if their destination is only a half-mile away. The less you move, the fewer calories you burn. But it's not just about calories. Physical activity has an effect on how your hormones work, and hormones have an effect on how your body handles food. Several studies have shown that physical activity has a beneficial effect on your insulin levels, keeping them stable. Unstable insulin levels are closely associated with weight gain. Not getting enough sleep Research has suggested that if you don't get enough sleep, your risk of becoming obese doubles. The research was carried out at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick. The risk applies to both adults and children. Professor Francesco Cappuccio and his team reviewed evidence from more than 28,000 children and 15,000 adults. Their evidence clearly showed that lack of sleep significantly increased the risk of obesity in both groups. Professor Cappuccio said: “The obesity epidemic is accompanied by a silent epidemic of reduced sleep duration, associated with an increased risk of obesity in adults and children. These trends are detectable in adults as well as children. children from the age of 5. » Professor Cappuccio explains that lack of sleep can lead to obesity due to an increase in appetite resulting from hormonal changes. If you don't get enough sleep, you produce ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates appetite. Lack of sleep also leads to less production of leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite. Obesity gene A faulty gene, called FTO, causes one in six people to eat too much, a team of scientists from University College London reported in the Journal of Clinical. Investigation (July 2013 issue). Lead researcher Racher Batter-ham explained that people with the FTO gene variant tend to overeat, prefer fatty, energy-dense foods and are generally obese. It also seems that they take much longer to achieve satiety (feeling full). How to reduce weight stigma? Professionals in the field of obesity, researchers and..