01/06/2026
Weight stigma refers to “discriminatory acts and ideologies targeted towards individuals because of their weight and size”.
Weight stigma is a result of weight bias, also known as anti-fat bias; the negative beliefs associated with obesity. Common stereotypes about larger bodied and fat people are often related to the untrue assumption that they are lazy, lack willpower, have poor hygiene, have compromised moral character, and are less attractive and intelligent. Larger bodied individuals are at an increased risk of experiencing harassment, discrimination, and verbal and physical assault due to their size.
As you can imagine, having a medical provider who may carry these false assumptions or beliefs about you, the patient, based on your size can have negative consequences on the quality of your care. In fact, when physicians focus too much on weight, this not only contributes to weight stigma but can lead to worse health outcomes for all patients regardless of size. Some environmental aspects of medical offices may also reflect weight stigma, including: non-inclusive seating sizes, limited size of gowns, and limited accessibility options for patients to get on the exam table.
Read the full article by Kathryn Lodwick-Jones, LPC, BC-DMT, NCC on our website at equilibriapcs.com
