Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one-third of adults in the United States are obese.

Obesity is associated with various health complications including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to provide adequate care for obese patients. However, there have been concerns about healthcare professionals showing prejudice and discriminatory behavior towards obese patients.

This article explores whether doctors show prejudice in treating obese patients.

What is obesity?

Obesity is a medical condition characterized by excessive body fat. It is measured by body mass index (BMI), which is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. A BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

Obesity is associated with various health complications including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Prejudice in healthcare

Prejudice in healthcare is defined as unequal treatment based on an individual’s social status, such as their weight, race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Prejudice can manifest in different ways including reduced access to healthcare, delayed or improper treatment, and lack of respect or empathy. Prejudice in healthcare can result in negative health outcomes for patients and can decrease the quality of care patients receive.

Do doctors show prejudice towards obese patients?

Studies have shown that healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, and medical students exhibit negative attitudes towards obese patients.

A study conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University found that healthcare providers had implicit and explicit biases against obese patients. The study found that healthcare providers perceived obese patients as lazy, undisciplined, and non-compliant.

Another study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that physicians with higher levels of anti-fat bias were more likely to recommend weight loss treatments for their obese patients.

This may seem like a positive outcome, but it can also contribute to the stigma and discrimination faced by obese patients. Physicians may recommend weight loss treatments without considering other health conditions that may be impacting their patient’s weight, or they may not provide adequate support for their patient’s weight loss journey.

Impact of prejudice on healthcare for obese patients

Prejudice and discrimination can have a significant impact on the healthcare that obese patients receive.

Obese patients may feel reluctant to seek medical attention or may avoid seeking treatment altogether due to fears of being stigmatized or discriminated against. This can lead to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment, and poor health outcomes.

Healthcare providers may also focus on weight loss as the sole solution without addressing other health conditions or providing support for overall health and well-being.

What can be done to address prejudice in healthcare?

Healthcare professionals should undergo anti-bias training to address their unconscious biases and attitudes towards obese patients.

This training can help healthcare providers to provide equitable and respectful care to all patients, regardless of their weight. Doctors should also be aware of the social determinants of health that may impact their patient’s weight, such as poverty, lack of access to healthy foods, and limited access to healthcare services.

Healthcare providers should also recognize the impact of mental health on weight and provide support for mental wellness as a means of supporting overall health and weight loss.

Conclusion

Obese patients face many challenges in receiving equitable healthcare. Prejudice and discrimination from healthcare providers can have a negative impact on their health outcomes and overall well-being.

Healthcare professionals should undergo anti-bias training and be aware of social determinants of health to provide equitable and respectful care to all patients.