Spotlight on WEIGHT BIAS

How opinions about our size are hurting our health

- Madison Bogisch, Amber Bramble

From the TV shows we watch to the comment section of any plus-sized celebrity's Instagram, fatphobia and weight bias are everywhere.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, over two-thirds (67 per cent) of Aussie adults are overweight or obese - yet the war on larger bodies still exists.

Most worrying might be when weight bias finds its way into our healthcare system. A recent study published in eClinical Medicine found Australian healthcare students had "alarming" rates of dislike towards those living with overweight or obesity, with the potential to negatively impact the care received.

Woman's Day chats to endocrinologist and Juniper spokesperson Dr Ramy Bishay (myjuniper.com), to get an understanding of how weight bias presents itself in healthcare and what can be done...

WHAT IS WEIGHT BIAS?

First things first, though people in smaller bodies can face weight bias, those in larger bodies are more likely to experience it. "Weight bias is when people have certain ideas about what people with obesity think, how they behave and live," says Dr Bishay. "Weight stigma is when bias is 'full blown' and leads to discrimination that is targeted towards people with obesity."

Both weight stigma and weight bias can have damaging long-term health impacts for those on the receiving end, including body dissatisfaction, low self-esteem, depression and other psychological disorders.

HOW DOES IT IMPACT HEALTHCARE?