Obesity - Social Stigma - Depression

Abstract

Obesity contributes to the increased incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure and heart
disease. In addition, obesity can be a social stigma, as obese people are perceived as lazy and unwilling.
Obesity is both a physical and a psychological disease, and a closer look will show that that
psychological problems not only can foreshadow the development of obesity, but they are intrinsic to
attempts to lose weight. The psychological factors that contribute to overeating include, on the one
hand, a series of constraints that the person imposes on himself, and, on the other hand, the presence of
disturbing emotional feelings. Discrimination against obese people extends beyond the medical
practice. For example, at school, students face prejudice on the basis of extra pounds, which come from
both colleagues and teachers, points out Dr. Puhl. Obesity discrimination occurs early on, studies
suggest. Last but not least, there are social or economic factors that can be associated with childhood
obesity. For example, a low level of education deprives the child of healthy eating habits.