Attacking the Overweight

Harriet Brown writes so articulately about the stigma and prejudice experienced by people who are overweight, it’s hard to say anything other than link to it. She highlights how well accepted it is to disparage the overweight, despite the increasing evidence that weight loss and regulation is not simply a matter of self-control and discipline. Unfortunately, doctors can be as guilty of this as anyone, routinely attributing health problems to weight without looking further. When people feel that disdain from their doctor, they are less likely to get consistent medical care or comply with their recommendations. For some reason, weight and fat remains one of the few areas where people feel free to disparage others. Surely, there must be ways to address issues of health and weight without also demeaning those who wrestle with it.