Even though obesity is catalogued as a chronic progressive disease, historically we did not see it as that. Since it is a disease that does not causes physical pain such as a bone fracture would, it does not warrant immediate medical attention as a pneumonia or any other serious medical problem would need to. We always thought of the obese patient as a person with bad eating habits and poor willpower. This stigmatization of the obese patient has a vast impact on the quality of life on the overweight individual,[1].

Patients living with obesity have to wake up everyday to a different reality as compared to those who do not suffer this disease. Social discrimination is present early in  their childhood being the object of ridicule in school. Later in life their interpersonal relationships as well as their professional performance are also affected. They have to cope with the disadvantages of the physiological and psychological burden of the disease. For example; they may suffer from sleep apnea syndrome; without enough hours of good sleep, they start their day tired, which undermines their ability to function properly in their everyday activities. The obesity related diabetic patient has to suffer with emotional and physiological stress as well as the economic cost of this disease. Dealing with lifelong consultations, medications and the complications it may bring. In the work environment, they are often less productive due to complications and have more absenteeism than non obese people which may result in being perceived as inefficient or lazy. Social interactions with their family and friends are also affected since severely obese patients oftentimes do not have the ability to engage in family activities due to lower functional capacity.

Research indicates that weight stigma invokes psychological stress, which contributes to poor physical health outcomes for obese individuals and is a risk factor for depression, low self esteem and body dissatisfaction,[2].

Nowadays we have scientific evidence that proves that obesity is not just the result of bad eating habits and poor will power, but is has more to do with a complex interaction of genetic, environmental and metabolic factors that are out of the extremely obese patient’s control.

Since obesity is associated with many diseases such as: diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides and certain types of cancer, and it’s complications; obesity is also associated with markedly decreased life expectancy becoming the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States.

1. Andreyeva T, Puhl RM, Brownell KD, Changes in. Perceived weight discrimination among Americans,1995-1996 through 2004-2006.Obesity,silver spring.2008;16(5):1129-34

History of weight loss surgery.

2. Puhl RM, Heuer CA, Obesity stigma: important consideration for public health.Am J Public Health.2010;100(6):1019-28.

Dr. Galileo Villarreal

Bariatric Surgeon

Dr Galileo Villarreal

Metabolic and Bariatric Laparoscopic Surgery