Fat-shaming is harmful and hinders fight against obesity says WHO

Obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, says the World Health Organisation (WHO), which is calling for an end to the blame and shame culture dubbed ‘fat-shaming’, because it fails to tackle obesity and creates physical and psychological harm.

The WHO says fat-shaming by doctors and policymakers is occurring because they “do not fully understand” the root causes of obesity, which can be a complex mixture of dietary, lifestyle, genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic and environmental factors.

WHO defines obesity as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Around a quarter of adults and one in five children are obese in the UK.

In a statement issued on World Obesity Day (4 March), the WHO said: 'It is time we break the cycle of shame and blame and re-evaluate our approach for addressing this complex global public health problem.'

Obese people are perceived as ‘lazy’

World Obesity Day is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of obesity, which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. These include stroke, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer - such as breast cancer and bowel cancer.

A statement led by a Kings College professor and backed by 100 health professionals to coincide with World Obesity Day echoes the WHO’s view.

Published in a paper in Nature Medicine, Professor Francesco Rubino, chair of bariatric and metabolic surgery at King's College, issued a ‘Pledge to Eliminate Weight Bias and Stigma of Obesity’.

Professor Rubino argues prejudice against overweight people can cause both physical and mental harm.

Obesity, he emphasised, is also the result of genetics and environment and not just people's eating choices and behaviours.

“People with obesity commonly face a pervasive, resilient form of social stigma”, said Professor Rubino.

The professor said obese people are “often perceived (without evidence) as lazy, gluttonous, lacking will power and self-discipline”.

“The prevailing view that obesity is a choice and that it can be entirely reversed by voluntary decisions to eat less and exercise more can exert negative influences on public health policies, access to treatments, and research.”

Professor Rubino added: “They are often subject to discrimination in the workplace as well as in educational and healthcare settings.

"Research indicates that weight stigma can cause physical and psychological harm, and that affected individuals are less likely to receive adequate care.”

As well as health professionals, MPs sitting on the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity have signed Professor Rubino’s pledge.

Signatories to the pledge agree:

• To treat individuals with overweight issues and obesity with dignity and respect.

• To refrain from using stereotypical language, images, and narratives that unfairly and inaccurately depict individuals with overweight issues and obesity as lazy, gluttonous, and lacking willpower or self-discipline.

• To encourage and support initiatives aimed at preventing weight discrimination in the workplace, education, and healthcare settings.

• To encourage and support educational initiatives aimed at eradicating weight bias through dissemination of current knowledge of obesity and body-weight regulation.

The WHO recommends countries make room in cities and towns for all to engage in safe walking, cycling, and recreational activities.

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