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Review
. 2025 Mar;54(1):9-16.
doi: 10.1016/j.ecl.2024.10.001. Epub 2024 Nov 20.

Weight Stigma

Amanda Velazquez  1
Affiliations
Review

Weight Stigma

Amanda Velazquez. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

Weight stigma is pervasive across all levels of society, including health care. Understanding the current climate of weight stigma and exploring ways to eradicate it is essential. This article begins with the fundamentals by defining important terminology related to weight stigma and bias. There is a discrepancy between societal perceptions of individuals living with obesity and the extensive research demonstrating that obesity is a chronic disease. As a result, 3 common societal misperceptions are demystified. Finally, this article reviews how to broach the topic of obesity with patients, using a compassionate and bias-free approach to patient care.

Keywords: Health care; Obesity; Weight bias; Weight stigma.

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