Stigma Remains Part of the Weight Loss Experience, Survey Suggests

In the survey, 62 percent of respondents said they often felt embarrassed or self-conscious about their bodies. These feelings affected them in several ways: 57 percent felt discouraged about losing weight. 50 percent were treated differently by others and felt judged.

42 percent avoided social situations. 32 percent felt unsupported by others. “These numbers mirror what I hear from my patients,” says Ivania Rizo, MD , an endocrinologist, the director of obesity medicine at Boston Medical Center, and a spokesperson for the Obesity Society.

“Feeling judged and embarrassed about our bodies isn’t rare or unusual. It’s one of the most common experiences among people living with excess weight.” People with obesity are often “unfairly perceived as lazy or unmotivated, or lacking willpower, when in fact obesity is a complex, chronic disease influenced by many factors, including biology, genetics, environment, medications, sleep, and stress,” says Reema Dbouk, MD , an assistant professor at Emory University in Atlanta and a spokesperson for the Obesity Society.

This stigma affects people’s quality of life, contributing to social isolation and missed opportunities, Dr. Dbouk says. It may also increase the risk for depression , anxiety , and low self-esteem, Dr.

Rizo adds. “When people feel ashamed about their bodies, they often eat more, avoid exercise, and put off medical care,” Dr. Rizo says, which has long-term health risks.