“She’s fat.” “He’s fat.” “You’re fat!” “I’m so fat.” How many times have we heard or said these phrases in our lifetime?
America’s obese are subject to tremendous psychological burdens. Obesity may be a medical state but people create the psychological burden associated with it. Often, the pain involves self-hatred that can lead to depression and anxiety, social isolation and alienation.
There is unbelievable social bias toward the obese. Obese people are stereotyped and often viewed as ugly, lazy, unwanted, unhealthy, weak-willed, uncontrolled, etc. If you are obese, you are less likely to marry and more likely to fall in social class. You are likely to be discriminated against concerning jobs, college entrance and be stereotyped by your physician. Basically you are stigmatized by an unsympathetic society; we’re “allowed” to discriminate against you. Fat jokes abound. But what does it mean medically to be obese?
Obesity is an excess of body fat. Little agreement exists on just when body fat and weight become a health issue. (Opinions range anywhere from 5% to 30% above ideal weight.) And to make matters worse, a variety of tables are used to measure ideal weights. Researchers use the body mass index (BMI) as a measure of body fat and health risk. BMI is weight in kilograms per height in meters. The National Center for Health Statistics defines overweight as a BMI of 27.3 in women and 27.8 in men. Obesity is a BMI of 30 and over. Obesity is referred to as a public health issue because of the associated medical complications leading to morbidity and mortality.
Obesity is not a psychological condition. It’s a medical condition that has multiple causes, consequences, and treatments. However, obesity can cause or be caused by psychosocial problems. So to ignore these issues is irresponsible.
Moreover, the stigma against obese people must be attacked. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is one advocacy group trying to do this. Other programs focus efforts on recognizing the stigma, preparing obese people to respond to it, and repairing the damage to self-esteem.
The next time you are tempted to make fun of someone obese, think about the incredible complexity of his condition and your role in reducing social stigma. You don’t know an obese person’s life story or unique medical make-up. You don’t know how much he may struggle to be accepted. Stop judging and adding insult to injury. People need to be encouraged to make better choices, not ridiculed. Weight loss is hard work . So next time you see someone overweight, be kind and know that plenty of people will give them a hard time. You do not need to be one of them.
Beautifully written, Linda. Thank you for recognizing the stigma fat people endure and explaining it to the rest of the world.
Thank you for this article, Dr. Mintle. It is both informative and helpful, addressing the very issue that led me to form the International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) in 1997.
While I am, at most, perhaps considered somewhat overweight, I am not obese. Being overweight or obese is not required to recognize that social bias and discrimination against the plus-sized exists, that it is wrong and should be exposed for what it is. Thank you again, for helping to do just that with your words.