Understanding obesity and the surrounding stigma can help healthcare workers to better care for patients of different body sizes. Obesity may be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, metabolism, disordered eating, sedentary lifestyle or sometimes even environment.
Some negative stereotypes surrounding obesity include laziness, poor self-discipline, emotional instability, poor hygiene, and more. Stereotypes like this may cause patient shame, anxiety, or stress during, or even prior to healthcare appointments. It is important to realize that a patient may have had a negative experience in a healthcare facility before, even if it did not take place at your site. Having this past experience may influence their behaviors in healthcare situations forever.
We must raise cognizance that a person being overweight or obese can be a product of many factors. Though many obese patients are actively trying to lose weight and have made several attempts at a healthier lifestyle, this is not true for all patients. Any discussions conveying the suggestion of weight loss should come from a place of support and emphasize the patient-specific health impacts associated with their weight loss.
In a healthcare setting, we must be aware of our equipment, weight limits and how to approach a sensitive situation. Take a look around your work area and think about potential problem situations (i.e. small blood pressure cuff, narrow doorway, chair with a low weight limit, etc.). What solutions could you employ to make a patient feel as comfortable and accepted as possible? What language could you use to kindly indicate that you need a larger piece of equipment or must ask a potentially uncomfortable question?
Thinking about these situations ahead of time can save a patient from anxiety and stress that may normally accompany a health-related appointment. If you have any questions about sensitivity or equipment in your role, please reach out to your manager who can address these concerns. We want to do our best to lead with CARE and make our facilities warm, welcoming, and free of bias for all patients!
Click HERE to access a training seminar for bariatric sensitivity.
For more resources regarding this discussion, visit
Five Ways Health Care Can Be Better for Fat People | Journal of Ethics | American Medical Association (ama-assn.org)