What are the social effects of obesity?
Individuals affected by obesity often face obstacles far beyond health risks. Emotional suffering may be one of the most painful parts of obesity. Society often emphasizes the importance of physical appearance. As a result, people who are obese often face prejudice or discrimination in the job market, at school and in social situations.
Effects at Work
Due to the negative stigma associated with obesity, employees affected by obesity are often viewed as less competent, lazy and lacking in self-discipline by their co-workers and employers. Often times, discriminatory attitudes can negatively impact wages, promotions and employment status for employees affected by obesity.
Finding a job can also be a difficult task for an obese individual. Studies show that obese applicants are less likely to be hired than thinner applicants, despite having identical job qualifications. Recently, the frequency of legal cases involving the firing of employees affected by obesity because of their weight, even though they are able to perform their job duties, has also increased.
Effects at School
Educational settings also provide the possibility for discriminatory situations. Children affected by obesity face numerous obstacles, ranging from harassment, teasing and rejection from peers, to biased attitudes from teachers.
At a young age, children are exposed to obesity’s negative stigma. Children affected by obesity are sometimes characterized as being unhappy, lazy, mean and not having many friends.
In Healthcare Settings
Negative attitudes about patients affected by obesity also exist in the healthcare setting. Patients are often reluctant to seek medical care, may be more likely to delay important preventative healthcare services and more frequently cancel medical appointments. Delaying medical attention can lead to delayed discovery or treatment of co-morbid conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, while becoming more physically damaging.
The consequences of this discrimination can seriously impact an individual’s quality of life and only further intensify the negative stigma associated with obesity.
Obesity Action Coalition
