Fat Stigma and Fat Shaming: Why It's Time to End the Nonsense
World Obesity Day 2025: The Truth About Fat Stigma and Shaming
As a doctor specialising in menopause and obesity, I've seen firsthand how fat stigma and fat shaming do more harm than good.
With today marking World Obesity Day 2025, it's the perfect moment to have a frank conversation about these issues, focusing on the UK. Let's get into the numbers, the nonsense, and what we can do to fix it.
The UK's Expanding Waistline: A Look at the Numbers
Let's start with some home truths about the UK's obesity crisis and where we're headed. Brace yourselves—it’s not a pretty picture:
Currently, 28% of adults in England are obese, with an additional 36% overweight—nearly two-thirds of the population carrying excess weight.
Among children, 22% of Year 6 children (ages 10-11) are obese, with another 14% overweight.
Projected Figures for 2050
By 2050, a staggering 77% of adults in Great Britain and Northern Ireland are projected to be overweight or obese.
For adults aged 25 and over, obesity rates are expected to skyrocket:
Women: from 31.7% in 2021 to 42.6% in 2050
Men: from 29.3% in 2021 to 39.5% in 2050
Children aren’t spared either. For those aged 5-14:
Girls: obesity rates will rise from 12% in 2021 to 18.4% in 2050—an increase from approximately 430,000 to 660,000 obese girls.
Boys: from 9.9% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2050, translating to a potential increase from 370,000 to 580,000 obese boys.
The rise is even more dramatic for young adults (ages 15-24):
Young women: from 15.4% in 2021 to 22.9% in 2050—an increase from 570,000 to 850,000 obese young women.
Young men: from 12.1% in 2021 to 18.3% in 2050, rising from 460,000 to 700,000 obese young men.
The Bigger Picture
By 2050:
Approximately 23.4 million adults aged 25 and over will be obese.
When including those overweight, that figure jumps to 43.4 million adults.
The cost? Obesity currently costs the NHS £6.5 billion annually, making it the second biggest preventable cause of cancer after smoking. Without intervention, this could balloon dramatically.
It’s clear that if we don’t change course, we’re heading for a future where being overweight or obese is the norm, not the exception.
What Are Fat Stigma and Fat Shaming?
Fat stigma refers to negative attitudes, beliefs, and discrimination directed towards individuals because of their weight or body size. It stems from weight bias, which involves associating negative stereotypes with people who have excess weight or obesity. Common stereotypes include:
Assumptions that overweight individuals are lazy, lack willpower, or have poor moral character.
Beliefs that they have bad hygiene, low intelligence, or are unattractive.
Fat shaming takes this stigma further by actively criticising, harassing, or humiliating people about their weight or eating habits. This can include:
Verbal abuse, teasing, and bullying.
Discrimination in workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings.
Even seemingly positive actions, like complimenting weight loss, which can reinforce harmful ideals.
Shockingly, over 70% of adolescents report being bullied about their weight.
Fat Stigma and Shaming in Day-to-Day Life
For Adults:
Limited clothing options at popular retailers, with plus-size sections often hidden away.
Weight-based discrimination in hiring and promotion opportunities.
Unsolicited weight loss advice from friends, family, or even strangers.
Airplane seats that don’t accommodate larger bodies, sometimes requiring the purchase of a second seat.
Healthcare professionals focusing on weight loss rather than addressing actual health concerns.
For Children:
Bullying at school, with weight-based teasing more common than bullying based on race, sexual orientation, or disability.
Exclusion from social activities or groups.
Lower academic expectations from teachers.
Limited options for sports participation or physical education.
Social Exclusion Examples:
Being passed over for social invitations or group activities.
Feeling unwelcome in public spaces like gyms or swimming pools.
Experiencing judgmental stares or comments when eating in public.
Difficulty finding a romantic partner due to societal beauty standards.
These experiences can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, often resulting in social withdrawal and reduced quality of life.
Weight Stigma in Medical Settings
Weight stigma in healthcare is particularly concerning:
69% of doctors, 46% of nurses, and 37% of dietitians report biased attitudes against people living with obesity.
Healthcare professionals may spend less time with obese patients, provide less education, or attribute unrelated health problems to weight.
41% of patients with class I obesity, 59% with class II obesity, and 80% with class III obesity report experiencing weight stigma in healthcare settings.
This stigma leads to reduced trust in healthcare providers, lower likelihood of accessing screenings and services, and poorer health outcomes.
The Evidence: Why Fat Shaming Is Counterproductive
Research consistently shows that fat shaming has the opposite effect of what’s intended:
Mental Health Issues: People who experience fat shaming are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Physical Health Problems: Stress from stigma can lead to increased calorie consumption, reduced physical activity, weight gain, and higher risks of metabolic disorders.
Avoidance of Healthcare: Many people delay or avoid medical care altogether for fear of being judged.
In short, fat shaming doesn’t inspire change—it sabotages health outcomes.
Tackling Obesity Without Shame
So, how do we address obesity without resorting to stigma? Here are some practical steps:
Educate Ourselves: Understand that obesity is a multifaceted issue influenced by biology, environment, and socioeconomic factors.
Challenge Harmful Narratives: Speak up when you see fat shaming—in person or online—and advocate for empathy.
Support Policies That Promote Health:
The UK government has introduced measures like calorie labelling and restrictions on junk food advertising before 9 pm.
Programmes like the Soft Drinks Industry Levy have reduced sugar content in drinks by 46% since 2015.
Be Kind: A kind word or gesture can make a world of difference.
Final Thoughts
On World Obesity Day 2025, let’s remember that obesity isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a societal one. Fat stigma and fat shaming aren’t just cruel; they’re counterproductive and dangerous.
So next time you're tempted to judge someone for their weight, pause and consider: Would your comment help them live a healthier life—or push them further into isolation?
Let’s ditch the blame game and focus on solutions that work—for all shapes and sizes.
After all, kindness costs nothing!
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