The stigma of obesity in the general public and its implications for public health - a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Up to this date, prevalence rates of obesity are still rising. Aside from co-morbid diseases, perceived discrimination and stigmatization leads to worsen outcomes in obese individuals. Higher stigmatizing attitudes towards obese individuals may also result in less support of preventive and interventive measures. In light of the immense burden of obesity on health care systems and also on the individuals' quality of life, accepted and subsidized preventive measures are needed. Policy support might be determined by views of the lay public on causes of obesity and resulting weight stigma. This study seeks to answer how representative samples of the lay public perceive people with obesity or overweight status (stigmatizing attitudes); what these samples attribute obesity to

SUBMITTER: Sikorski C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3175190 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature