Weight Bias!

 

    When people think of weight bias they commonly refer to when they have a doctors visit and they are told they are overweight and need to lose weight. Although in some cases it doesn't match up. Peoples body types and sizes vary also how their bodies function and it isn't necessarily fair to say that they are overweight or underweight. Many people have a fast metabolism or even slow metabolism. A lot of people exercise and still can be told they are overweight. Myself for example being told I am overweight, but am very active and spend five out of seven days in the gym. 

    There have even been cases that show doctors mistreating patients due to the doctor believing it was due to weight. Some doctors even give mal treatment just because a doctor will not want to waste time with an "overweight patient". Which then leads to misdiagnosis and patients having to deal with symptoms that are not being treated correctly. There are even quotes of doctors saying; “Well, it’s kind of his fault, right?”, “If she wasn’t so lazy ...”, “That patient is so undisciplined.”. This shows that it is an actual problem and a lot of people have to suffer from it. 

    Speaking with individuals at my gym that have dealt with this, typically the response is "I feel embarrassed...", "I don't like going, because they just tell me I'm overweight...", "I workout and still get told I need to lose weight...". It's tough mentally for some people, because it tends to make them overthink and start to become disheartened with themselves. Which in turn leads to depression. I asked how they are trying to deal with it. Which common answers are they just work out more, or simply stopped going to the doctors as often so they don't have to hear it. Which clearly isn't the best option, but keeps them from feeling "hurt".

    

    

Overall people should believe in themselves, but also be confident to go to the doctors. If they feel the doctor is not giving proper treatment to speak up. People tend to shy away from the truth, but should also embrace it and take it as information that'll help improve their life. There are many ways that you can go about living a healthy life, but people should always take a trip to the doctor to take care of themselves. Its a tough battle mentally and physically to deal with, but people should persevere through difficulties and better their lives!

Sources:

 Fatima Cody Stanford, M. D. (2019, April 3). Addressing weight bias in medicine. Harvard Health. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/addressing-weight-bias-in-medicine-2019040316319.

J;, E. C. B. M. M. (n.d.). The association between Weight Stigma and Mental Health: A meta-analysis. Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31507062/.

NBCUniversal News Group. (2019, August 25). When doctors fat-shame their patients, everybody loses. NBCNews.com. Retrieved November 7, 2021, from https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/when-doctors-fat-shame-their-patients-everybody-loses-ncna1045921.