Stigmatization of the Patients Who Live with Overweight or Obesity

Abstract

Historically, obesity was defined by a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. Although increased body fat can have important health and well-being implications, its presence alone does not necessarily mean or reliably predict poorer health. Overweight is defined in the case of BMI from 25 to 29.9 kg/m2. There is a need to address this condition, as it precedes the development of obesity and requires medical intervention. Patients living with overweight or obesity often experience prejudice or stigmatization by society and/or health professionals. Weight stigmatization is a prejudiced attitude and/or discrimination against people based on a person’s body weight and size. According to research, from 20 to 40% of patients living with overweight or obesity experience this attitude during their lifetime. In this study, we aimed to assess the degree of obesity and the prevalence of stigmatization among overweight and obese Ukrainians, using a questionnaire-based method.