Addressing weight stigma and communicating with patients

Abstract

Substantial evidence highlights the pervasive nature of weight stigma, reported by people of all ages and backgrounds. Weight stigma is experienced across the life course and in many settings across society. These harmful experiences may include verbal and physical behaviours, with long-lasting effects on mental and physical health. They may also impact the patient-practitioner when weight stigma is experienced in a healthcare setting, as well as reducing health seeking behaviour and avoidance of healthcare. It is therefore essential that weight stigma in healthcare is addressed given the important implications of these experiences in this setting, Interventions need to be longer term and given the widespread nature of weight stigma, change is needed throughout society from policy to practice. Thus, a whole system approach to weight stigma is needed to address the entrenched and often robust nature of weight stigma attitudes.