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Review
. 2019 Feb;26(1):19-24.
doi: 10.1097/MED.0000000000000453.

Weight stigma and its impact on paediatric care

Carl J Palad  1 , Siddharth Yarlagadda  2 , Fatima Cody Stanford  3   4
Affiliations
Review

Weight stigma and its impact on paediatric care

Carl J Palad et al. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of review: This review aims to evaluate current research findings relevant to weight stigmatization, to acknowledge the deleterious impact it has on the health of the paediatric population and to provide insight to optimize future guidelines for the treatment of individuals with overweight and obesity.

Recent findings: Obesity prevalence continues to rise in the USA with estimates in children from ages 2-19 years of 18.5%, an all-time high. With the increase in obesity, there has been a concomitant increase in weight stigma, which affects both youth and general population across varied levels of socioeconomic status and body sizes.

Summary: Weight stigma is a contributing phenomenon to the current obesity epidemic, as individuals with stigmatized experiences (weight-based teasing, bullying, victimization) have increased risks for acquiring adverse health outcomes that encompass the physical, behavioural and psychological. Weight stigma can also lead affected individuals to internalize such experiences which decrease their overall quality of life. Sources of stigma may come from peers, family, educators, media, as well as healthcare professionals, as highlighted in this review. Efforts to establish prevention and treatment strategies for weight stigma may generate further traction to help improve global obesity rates. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

    1. Hales CM, Fryar CD, Carroll MD, et al. Trends in obesity and severe obesity prevalence in US youth and adults by sex and age, 2007–2008 to 2015–2016. JAMA 2018; 319:1723–1725.

      This survey compares obesity prevalence and trends since 2007 in both youth and adults, with rates in youth reaching an all-time high in 2016. This is of significant interest, as it recognizes the alarming trends in obesity that need to be improved.

    1. Puhl RM, Himmelstein MS, Quinn DM. Internalizing weight stigma: prevalence and sociodemographic considerations in US adults. Obesity 2018; 26:167–175.

      This is one of the first articles to introduce WBI, in addition to highlighting its prevalence in the USA. WBI is a phenomenon observed in both youth and adults and is important to measure when considering treatment.

    1. Puhl RM, Latner JD, O’Brien K, et al. A multinational examination of weight bias: predictors of antifat attitudes across four countries. Int J Obes 2015; 39:1166–1173. - PubMed

    1. Kyle TK, Stanford FC, Nadglowski JF. Addressing weight stigma and opening doors for a patient-centered approach to childhood obesity. Obesity 2018; 26:457–458.

      This article is significant, as it highlights the lack of weight stigma resolutions in current US obesity prevention policies. As an acknowledged determinant of excess weight gain, weight stigma is important to address, especially in the paediatric population.

    1. Pont SJ, Puhl R, Cook SR, et al. Stigma experienced by children and adolescents with obesity. Pediatrics 2017; 140:e20173034.

      This policy statement aims to raise awareness on the prevalence and adverse consequences of weight stigma and provides several key recommendations in preventing weight stigma in paediatric patients. Their recommendations apply the use of nonbiased behaviour and language, as well as the use of proper motivational interviewing when addressing weight stigma.

Publication types