In the ongoing war against obesity, there are untold stories of personal battles, emotional scars, and a healthcare system that often exacerbates the problem rather than offering solace and solutions. Our members at the Seniors Discount Club have lived through decades of changing health narratives, and many can attest to the shifting attitudes towards weight and health. But what happens when the very institutions meant to heal us cause more harm than good?

Take Hannah's story, for example. After enduring a year of excruciating abdominal pain, she mustered the courage to visit her doctor, only to be met with disdain and judgment. Her pain was trivialised, her concerns dismissed, and her dignity stripped away by a doctor who reduced her to a set of stereotypes: 'Fat, fertile, female and, most likely, flatulent.' It's a stark reminder that the stigma surrounding weight can overshadow medical professionalism and empathy.

Weight stigma experienced in medical settings, especially by women, leads to substandard care. Credit: Cunaplus_M.Faba / iStock

Hannah's experience is not an isolated incident. Louise, another woman who faced weight stigma, was shamed during her pregnancy by a midwife who told her she was 'too fat to feel your baby.' Despite gaining only 2.5 kilograms throughout her pregnancy, well within the recommended guidelines, Louise was left feeling powerless and distraught.

These stories are not merely anecdotes; they are part of a larger pattern of weight stigma in medical settings. The ABC's investigation into this issue revealed that more than 100 women felt judged by their size, which in turn affected the standard of care they received. This is not just about hurt feelings; it's about a systemic issue that can lead to misdiagnoses, inadequate treatment, and long-term psychological damage.

Dr Terri-Lynne South, a GP and dietitian specialising in obesity, acknowledges that fat-shaming and weight stigma are 'extremely prevalent' in healthcare. The language used by medical professionals can be damaging, and terms like 'overweight' and 'obese,' while technically accurate, carry a weight of judgment that can discourage patients from seeking help.

The reliance on Body Mass Index (BMI) as a health measure is another contentious issue. Developed in the 19th century, BMI is a crude tool that fails to account for individual differences in body composition and health. Fiona Willer, a lecturer in nutrition and dietetics, points out that a patient's weight or BMI is far less interesting and informative than other health indicators, such as blood tests and lifestyle factors.

The Australian Medical Association's response to this issue is cautious, emphasizing the importance of tackling obesity without addressing the stigma that often accompanies it. However, the stories of women like Hannah and Louise highlight the need for a more compassionate and nuanced approach to healthcare.

For our senior members, who may have faced a lifetime of changing health advice and societal attitudes towards weight, these stories may resonate deeply. It's essential to remember that you deserve respectful and individualised care, regardless of your size. If you've experienced weight stigma in a medical setting, know that you're not alone, and it's not your fault.

We encourage our readers to share their experiences and thoughts on this topic. Have you faced judgment based on your weight when seeking medical care? How has it affected your relationship with healthcare providers? Your stories can shed light on this issue and help advocate for a more inclusive and understanding healthcare system.

Key Takeaways

• Individuals, particularly women, report experiencing weight stigma and judgement in medical settings, often leading to dismissive attitudes and substandard care.
• Stories shared highlight the negative impacts of such stigma on mental health, avoidance of medical care, and detrimental effects on self-worth.
• Experts argue that the use of BMI as a health measurement is outdated and can contribute to weight stigma, advocating for more inclusive and individualised approaches to health care.
• Advocates, including those with personal experience of weight stigma, are calling for a change in the healthcare system to remove judgment based on body size and to offer supportive, non-judgemental care.

Let's start a conversation about supporting each other and working towards a healthcare environment that uplifts rather than undermines our well-being.

 

[Inferno4256]

As an older female (76) who has been overweight my entire life I have come to the conclusion that most doctors think that losing weight will cure everything from ingrown toenails to all types of cancer and beyond. As a young mum running round after 4 lively boys and playing social tennis and squash every week as well as being involved as a volunteer in the preschool, then school; and every sport they were in , I never lost a damn ounce. Weight loss surgery 10 years ago certainly helped but I never have been nor ever will be slim and svelte. I am what I am and fat shames can go to hell!!!!!

 

[Tata]

Sorry to say, but what most people do not realize, that "running round after 4 lively boys and playing social tennis and squash every week as well as being involved as a volunteer", as well as ALL other activities, is 100% easier, when you are in a normal weight range! ( I am 72, 160 cm, 50 kg, but plenty of muscles due to my active life style).

 

[BellaB18]

I was told by the orthopaedic surgeon who did my knee replacement 12 years ago. Oh you have heavy thighs. The ground could have opened up and swollen me. Another orthopaedic surgeon told me to come back and see him when l have lost weight. I felt so shamed.
43 years ago when l was pregnant with my first child l was about a size 14 at the time. The Dr grabbed my tummy and said. Whats all this fat. I was 20 years old my joy turned to embarrassment. I dreaded every visit and weigh in. Just recently l went to a podiatrist who was as skinny as a Whippet. I went because of tendinitis in the ankle. I basically paid $85 to be lecturered about my weight. She gave me no help for my ankle.
I said. I am 62 years old l am finally able to accept my body. If you have a magic wand for weight loss please wave it over me. She did suggest gastric band surgery. I was so embarrassed. I thought hang on l don't think l am at that stage.
It's just a cop out if you have extra weight on you, even though your bloods are perfect and blood pressure is great and no heart disease. But you unfortunately have other health issues it has to be your carrying to much weight.
I would happily walk into a orthopaedic surgeons room and ask.. Before we get started do you have an issue with my weight? Because if you do we really have no business together.
I am truly over being made to feel like a second class person because of my weight. It has put me off seeing specialists it causes me great anxiety.

 

[BellaB18]

As an older female (76) who has been overweight my entire life I have come to the conclusion that most doctors think that losing weight will cure everything from ingrown toenails to all types of cancer and beyond. As a young mum running round after 4 lively boys and playing social tennis and squash every week as well as being involved as a volunteer in the preschool, then school; and every sport they were in , I never lost a damn ounce. Weight loss surgery 10 years ago certainly helped but I never have been nor ever will be slim and svelte. I am what I am and fat shames can go to hell!!!!!

Bless you. And l bet you are just perfect in every way

 

[Towing]

I have a weight problem caused to by 2 problems. Side effects of essential medication and a liver problem that could have been partly caused by the medication. I was put on a very strict diet. I lost very little weight and my cholestoral almost doubled in about a month. My GP said I was lucky I hadn't had a stroke.