The social stigma attached to obesity: risk factors and coping strategies

Abstract

The medical effects of obesity are well-documented and well-publicized. But, just as obesity may be associated with a variety of health issues, it can also bring a less well-understood effect: stigma and discrimination. The social consequences of being overweight and obese are serious, pervasive and throughout our culture, and is evident at different levels across lines of gender, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Overweight and obese individuals are often targets of bias and stigma, and are vulnerable to negative attitudes in multiple domains of living including places of employment, educational institutions, medical facilities, the mass media, and interpersonal relationships. Along with implications to physical health, obesity often carries a stigma that negatively impacts the social, emotional, and psychological functioning of those who are overweight or perceive themselves as overweight. This paper seeks to review on causal attribution of obesity and its social consequences. Interpersonal sources, multiple domains and coping strategies are also captured. In light of the immense burden of obesity on health care systems and also on the individuals' quality of life, it is recommended that stigma-reduction interventions should focus on educating students at all levels of educational system and the general public about size acceptance and further challenge negative attitudes. Also, prevention programs with information campaigns might have a high potential in increasing awareness about stigmatization.