Obesity: Stigmatizing fat hurts people who are overweight. Researchers suggest changing the name of the condition to make it less shameful. “Fat disease” is also an option. When renaming something, experts, health care workers, and obese people should talk about it in depth to make sure the new language is inclusive and doesn’t shame people.
42% of overweight people have bad thoughts, are mistreated, and are rated harshly on how much willpower and self-discipline they have. It influences school, work, health, and relationships. Cortisol, self-esteem, and mental health all get worse because of weight shame. It also cuts down on medical costs.
To avoid shame, health problems were given new names. Homosexuality used to be called “sociopathic personality disturbance.” It was taken off the list of mental health diseases after years of campaigning. Doctors in Europe called it “non-alcoholic fatty liver disease” because it had a bad name. Renaming obesity “adiposity-based chronic disease” recognizes that the metabolism isn’t working right and stops people from putting people into groups based on their size.
Usually, 30 kg/m2 is used to describe overweight. Since body mass index (BMI) doesn’t take muscle strength or fat spread into account, it’s not a good measure of health. Problems with weight and metabolism are also a problem. The term “adiposity-chronic disease” refers to any metabolic problem caused by fat that goes beyond BMI.
Overweight is a disease, but the term “adiposity- chronic disease” is still up for discussion. The biological-dysfunction method has a different idea of what “disease” is. Getting fat might not be a sickness if it doesn’t hurt.
Overweight is not a sickness; it is a sign of a slow metabolism. This change could lead to more in-depth talks about how biology, the surroundings, and how people choose to live their lives affect over weight.
The name should be changed, and experts, health care workers, the public, and fat people should talk about it. If everyone talks about it, the new language will be accurate and not hurtful.
Shame doesn’t go away just because you change your name. Society needs to stop praising small bodies. Realizing that people can be healthy and happy with different sizes of bodies and questioning the “thin ideal” could help lower the stigma of overweight.
Calling fat a “adiposity-based chronic disease” might make it less shameful and get people to talk more about it. People who use stigma-free methods question social norms and work to include everyone. Open dialogue and empathy will help make a plan for dealing= with overweight that is more caring and well-informed.
Also Read: Antibiotics and Alcohol: Why It’s Best to Avoid Drinking During Infection Treatment.
Our Reader’s Queries
What is considered obese?
Body Mass Index (BMI) for Adults. If your BMI is below 18.5, you are underweight. If your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, you have a healthy weight. If your BMI is between 25.0 and 29.9, you are overweight. And if your BMI is 30.0 or higher, you fall in the obesity category.
What is level 1 obesity?
BMI ranges classify risk levels: Overweight (not obese) at 25.0 to 29.9. Class 1 (low-risk) obesity at 30.0 to 34.9. Class 2 (moderate-risk) obesity at 35.0 to 39.9.
What is the main cause of obesity?
Excess calories from fatty and sugary foods can be stored in the body as fat if they aren’t used up through physical activity. Consuming too much high-energy food and not burning it off can lead to this build-up of fat.
What are 4 symptoms of obesity?
Trouble sleeping, daytime drowsiness, back and joint pains, excessive sweating, heat intolerance, skin fold infections, fatigue, depression, and shortness of breath are all indicators of obesity. Sleep apnoea and dyspnoea are also common symptoms.