Discrimination against “overweight” or “obese” people also known as “fat shaming” has been proven to do more harm than good. This is something that definitely hits close to home with me after reading the latest studies coming out about this so called “fat shaming.”

Think about it. Fat shaming comes in many different forms: experiencing poor service at department stores, being treated differently or looked at differently and discrimination. This is something I have experienced first hand having a very close family member who is deemed “overweight/obese”. It is one of the reasons why I am passionate about health as well as becoming very active among educating and informing our youth. I believe it all goes hand and hand and directly associated with bullying, fat shaming and overall discrimination among the obese.

Walking through the store with my youngest sister, I see how others stare or whisper. Luckily, she has a very strong head on her shoulders and we have never shamed her or made her feel bad about herself. With all of the recent studies that have been released, it actually does more harm than good and is part of the obesity problem…not the solution.

Instead of doctors shaming and blaming their patients for being overweight, they should offer guidance and supportive solutions. The damage is done, so now we must work on helping. In my experience with my clients who come in wanting to lose weight, it is hard enough just asking for help. If I made them feel “bad” about their situation, then they probably would feel so guilty they wouldn't want to continue.

Also, most people just simply do NOT know what is healthy and what is not. There is so much information out there and most do not understand the difference between a carb, protein and fat or how to work their way around a gym. Weight discrimination can make the obese feel less confident so they will want to avoid the gym all together.

The reason for this article is to bring light to this issue. Sometimes many do not realize they are discriminating but that a stare or a whisper can have just as bad of an effect….take my sister and when we walk through the store as an example.

Be supportive, help others and always be kind….it goes a long way.

Thank you so much for reading,
Felicia Romero

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Featured Weight Management

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