At multiple fronts: Diabetes stigma and weight stigma in adults with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

People with obesity are vulnerable to societal stigma because of their body weight. In the USA, as many as 44% of adults have reported experiencing weight stigma 1 with the highest rates among those with the highest weight. 2 Research has demonstrated consistent links between weight stigma and risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, including overeating, 2 suboptimal glycaemic levels, 3 metabolic syndrome, 4 increased weight gain 5 and increased odds of a cardiometabolic diagnosis. 6 Evidence of heightened physiological reactivity in response to experiences of weight stigmatization, including cortisol 7 and C-reactive protein 8 have important implications for people with diabetes, especially given research showing that weight discrimination exacerbates the harmful effects of waist-to-hip ratio on HbA 1c. 3 Moreover, many people who report weight stigma also internalize these

Latinos’ Conceptualization of Depression, Diabetes, and Mental Health–Related Stigma

“…In addition to stigma related to mental health conditions such as depression, certain health conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, may also result in public stigma, due in part to perceptions that individuals living with these conditions "brought it on themselves" as a result of unhealthy lifestyle choices like poor diet and limited exercise [15][16][17][18][19][20]. Stigma is often associated with psychological distress, thus exacerbating symptoms of pre-existing depression, and putting those without pre-existing depression at increased risk of developing it during the course of their diabetes management [17,19,20].…”

‘For me, it didn’t seem as drastic a step as being controlled by insulin’: A qualitative investigation of expectations and experiences of non‐insulin injectable therapy among adults with type 2 diabetes

“…3 This is particularly important given the established prevalence of self-blame and internalised stigma associated with both T2D and excess weight. 30 Overall, GLP-1RA injection administration was largely described by participants as convenient, particularly for weekly formulations. Although exceptions relating to the treatment features of specific formulations (e.g.…”

“…A data‐driven and balanced approach to communicating treatment benefits and risks is needed 3 . This is particularly important given the established prevalence of self‐blame and internalised stigma associated with both T2D and excess weight 30 …”

‘I need someone to believe in me and walk the journey with me’: A qualitative analysis of preferred approaches to weight management discussions in clinical care among adults with type 2 diabetes

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