Negative effects of fat shaming on diet

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

Dr. Constance Odom, MD

About

Constance Tambakis Odom, MD graduated in 1987 with her Doctorate of Medicine from the New York Medical College, and was an Anesthesiologist Resident from 1988 to 1991 at the Brookdale Medical Center PGY II (CA-I)-PGY IV (CA-III). She is Board Certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology since 1998 and American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine since 2002. Constance Odom, MD is affiliated with the American Medical Association, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, American Society of Anesthesiology, Georgia Society of Anesthesiology, Hellenic Medical Society of New York, North Carolina Society of Anesthesiology, and Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia.

Credentials

Medical Director At:

• Nu Image Medical
• MetroMedispa P.A.

Staff Anesthesiologist at:

• Betsy Johnson Regional Hospital in Dunn, NC
• Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, NC
• Duplin General Hospital in Kenansville, NC

Director of Anesthesia Services at:

• Jacksonville Surgery Center in Jacksonville, NC

Written by our editorial team.

Last Edited 6 years ago · 4 min read

Recently, the internet has become more acutely aware of the phenomenon known as "fat shaming". Sparked initially by a few viral videos, and some tasteless jokes that harshly criticized overweight people. 

It brought to light the strange line of thinking that an unfortunate amount of people seem to hold; that making overweight people feel ashamed of their weight or dietary habits would actual help motivate them to lose weight. 

Unshockingly, this could not be further from the truth. Psychologists have done quite a bit of research into this, and the evidence is very clear. Fat shaming does not motivate people, but makes them feel terrible about themselves; which often leads to them eating more food and gaining more weight. 

To be a bit more clear, fat shaming involves criticizing, insulting, and even harassing overweight people about their size and diet, in order to make them feel ashamed of themselves. Some people claim it's their belief that this will help them to eat less and exercise more, while others don't even try to defend their insults; happy to just throw them out there and let them do what they may. In the majority of cases, the people who do this have never had to struggle with weight problem.

Unfortunately, there seems to be whole communities online who's focus is to do exactly that, shame overweight people. Research shows that a very large percentage of discussions about obesity on social media, especially Twitter and Facebook, are of a fat shaming nature. This often turns into downright harassment and cyberbullying, especially against women

Now, whatever your opinion on fat shaming is, whether you're trying to help the person or not, it's very clear that the stigma and rudeness overweight people face can cause psychological harm, and just makes the problem worse. 

In a study of 93 women, exposure to weight stigmatizing information made overweight women, but not normal weight women, eat more calories and feel less in control of their eating.

In another study, this time in 73 overweight women, those who watched a stigmatizing video ate 3 times as many calories (302 vs 89) afterwards compared to women who watched a non-stigmatizing video. 

In one study of 6,157 people, non-obese participants who experienced weight discrimination were 2.5 times more likely to become obese over the next few years . Additionally, this study found that obese people who experienced weight discrimination were 3.2 times as likely to remain obese over the next few years. 

The other effects of weight discrimination and fat shaming can manifest in the forms of chronic illness, such as depression, various eating disorders, reduced self-esteem, and all sorts of other chronic diseases. 

And, at the end of the day, it doesn't really take that much scientific research. Just stop to think about under what environment most people flourish under normally; ones that are supportive and positive will have a much greater effect than one based around shaming and negativity. 

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Nu Image Medical may not offer the medications or services mentioned in this article.