UK Health Radio – Medical New Update on the Hour - Weight discrimination

UK Health Radio – Medical New Update on the Hour

Weight discrimination

I heard someone say the other day that discriminating against those who were overweight had become the last acceptable discrimination.  And the BBC have reported that making people feel ashamed about obesity could lead them to gain weight, not lose it, according to studies done at University College London.

The BBC reported that in a study of nearly 3,000 adults over four years, those who said they had experienced discrimination because of their weight gained more weight than those who did not.

Researchers said there was no scientific evidence discrimination caused weight gain, but that the misery caused could lead to comfort eating. Health professionals were urged to be more supportive.

The study, in the journal Obesity looked at data from adults aged over 50 ranging from normal weight to obese who had taken part in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing.

Dr Sarah Jackson of UCL said there is no justification for discriminating against people because of their weight”

When asked if they had experienced day-to-day discrimination that they believed to be connected to their weight those in the study gave examples of discrimination that included being treated disrespectfully, receiving poor service in shops and being harassed. One in 20 reported weight discrimination, and in the morbidly obese group one in three reported discrimination and both men and women reported similar levels of weight discrimination.

Over the four-year period, on average, people in all weight groups who said they had experienced these negative attitudes put on nearly 1kg - just over 2lb.

Those who did not typically lost 0.7kg.

The researchers say this suggests that blaming and shaming people for being overweight is counterproductive. Instead they say it is better to be supportive and encouraging.

Dr Sarah Jackson, said that "Stress responses to discrimination can increase appetite, particularly for unhealthy, energy-dense food.

"Weight discrimination has also been shown to make people feel less confident about taking part in physical activity, so they tend to avoid it."

The study also said "widespread weight bias" had been reported in health professionals, and not just among the general public.

Prof Jane Wardle, director of the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Centre at UCL, said weight discrimination was part of the obesity problem - not the solution.

"Everyone, including doctors, should stop blaming and shaming people for their weight and offer support, and where appropriate, treatment."

Amanda Thomas

UK Health Radio – Medical News Update on the Hour

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