Are doctors obesophobic?
For several years, it is not uncommon for the overweight person to be stigmatized and denigrated . Comments from passers-by or family are not always sympathetic: from “it’s her fault, she just has to eat less” to “move a little”… the reflections are multiple. And the most worrying thing is that even health professionals have very clear opinions, and not always comprehensive, on this segment of the population. According to overweight subjects, doctors would even be “obesophobic” .
Obesity a disease with multiple pathologies
While it is true that some doctors excessively blame their overweight patients, others remain more attentive. Moreover, the latter take into account the multifactorial terrain of obesity and provide common sense advice. Thus, diabetes, hypertension or simple knee pain are evocations that can be heard, understood and treated.
However, people who are overweight find it very difficult to talk about their eating disorders, even if these requests remain legitimate. This is perhaps because of this close relationship which unites the oral mode and the pleasures of the flesh with emotions, feelings, affections. The relationship to food is complex, especially in subjects who suffer from eating disorders. But why this feeling on the part of these individuals?
A hard-to-find professional medical approach
City medicine is in a state of upheaval. We are talking more about health networks where generalists, specialists and paramedics work together.
In fact, a simple observation could be noticed: obese subjects can feel attacked by their doctor. Have the latter lost the sense of pedagogy and moderation? According to them, it is more the excess kilos that generate a non-acceptance of the body, much more suffered than desired and assumed on the part of overweight individuals. Be that as it may, the latter live as a discriminating fringe in relation to the rest of the population. And even if some doctors find the right words to educate their patients, it seems that it is not so easy or so obvious because not everyone always has the time. In any case, this is what individuals who live poorly with their extra pounds perceive .
How to explain this?
If judgments and a priori arrive from all sides, and even from the medical profession, it is because being overweight is expensive for society . This one does not wish to pay what is lived, by healthy people, like an abuse and a lack of will. The first reflection is to say that we are all capable of swallowing food. So why do some limit themselves and have some control over themselves and why others don’t?
The notion of food remains an intrinsic and fundamental value that is expressed differently according to people, culture, education and environment. This component excludes an increasingly large number of individuals. The richer and more accessible the diet, the less sporting activity, walking and physical leisure are present. In addition, an injustice is genetically in place and gives some people a predisposition to overweight.
The circle is thus complete: many obese individuals experience their overweight very badly and feel particularly attacked as soon as the subject of their weight is broached. But as currently the genetic code is still not modifiable, the general practitioner only manages to propose alternatives which can only be experienced, by obese people, as window dressing.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.