‘Being defined’: large-bodied women’s experiences as healthcare consumers

Williams, Danielle

doi:10.1080/14461242.2017.1375861

Cited by 11 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…One example involves the 2013 medicalization of “obesity” by the American Medical Association. The medicalization of human variation and presumption that people who, according to BMI, are “obese” and as such have a “disease” is a form of symbolic violence because it marks them as not well, even if there are no physiological indicators that the person is ill. As Williams (2018) states, “now that obesity has become medicalized, medicine has become another social institution that makes people believe that their bodies are abnormal or somehow bad” (p. 61). Moreover, it means that numerous people of size avoid preventative care altogether, and some even avoid seeing a physician when they are experiencing a health problem.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Violence of Fat Hatred in the “Obesity Epidemic” Discourse

Gailey

2021

Humanity & Society

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The concern globally over the “obesity epidemic” has become one of the most widely discussed social problems over the last twenty or so years. There is an intense focus from the media, popular culture, government agencies, and medical community about the harms of “obesity,” which includes strategies for eradicating the “obesity epidemic.” Public discussions of “excess weight” typically imply that fat persons are responsible for their body size, and public health policy recommendations follow from that assumption. Through the voices of 74 women of size, I demonstrate the ways in which the “obesity epidemic” discourse is a form of symbolic violence. Interviewees discussed countless acts of public humiliation, blocked opportunities, and fears about attending appointments with health care practitioners because of the stigma, discrimination, and mistreatment they receive. Moreover, the anti-fat rhetoric made interviewees feel responsible for the oppression. The violence manifested through the “obesity epidemic” rhetoric creates and perpetuates the phenomenon of hyper(in)visibilty, a phenomenon where marginalized bodies are simultaneously paid tremendous attention and dismissed. I conclude by urging sociologists to include body size in their intersectional research, teaching, and activism.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Violence of Fat Hatred in the “Obesity Epidemic” Discourse

Gailey

2021

Humanity & Society

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“…The online survey began with demographic questions, including age, body size (small-bodied, medium-bodied, large-bodied, other), approximate T-shirt size, gender identity, racial/ethnic identity, sex assigned at birth, sexual identity, past 12-month household income, and current employment status. Williams (2018) provides precedent on alternative body size and T-shirt size questions. Participants were also asked to report their current eating disorder diagnosis (if applicable) and current disordered eating behaviors they were “struggling” with (binge eating, body image difficulties, dietary restriction, hard or excessive exercise, low weight and/or rapid and substantial weight loss, obsessing over nutritional content of food, purging by vomiting, purging by laxative use).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Sharing lived experience”: Describing a virtual counselor-facilitated LGBTQ+ support group for disordered eating.

Brownstone,

Hunsicker,

Palazzolo

et al. 2023

Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

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A growing body of literature has highlighted the disproportionate impact of disordered eating on sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. As such, specialized and affirming treatment is needed for SGM individuals with disordered eating, and research is needed to better understand what this treatment should include. The current study investigates a rolling, open, counselor-facilitated, free, virtual support group for SGM individuals with disordered eating to better understand support and healing processes, which in turn could be applied or expanded upon in other treatment settings. Participants were 27 SGM adults. All participants completed online surveys, and some (15/27) also completed semistructured focus groups about their experiences in the support group to reflect on shared meaning created within the group and ways that the counselor-facilitated support group fostered learning and healing related to disordered eating, mental health recovery, gender, and sexual identity. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis yielded the following themes: (a) community building and safety, (b) a crucially important space, (c) intersectional healing and insight, (d) seeing futures and building hope, and (e) ripple effects. Results indicate the power of alternative support spaces for disordered eating recovery among SGM individuals and illuminate potential directions for queer-affirming disordered eating treatment. Results also indicate a major gap in existing treatment for SGM individuals in need of disordered eating support. Public Significance StatementThis study finds that a rolling, open, counselor-facilitated, virtual LGBTQ+ support group for disordered eating provides a much-needed space for connection, safety, and healing, and fills profound gaps in care for SGM individuals trying to access queer-affirming disordered eating care. Mental health clinicians of all disciplines must gain competence in addressing both disordered eating and SGM mental health. Counselor-facilitated support groups should be considered a powerful resource.

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“…Patients felt devalued through repeated negative interactions with healthcare providers where the use of derogatory language [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56]59,60 and pejorative non-verbal behaviours [29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51]…”

Section: Theme 1: Verbal and Non-verbal Communication Of Weight Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

Weight stigma experienced by patients with obesity in healthcare settings: A qualitative evidence synthesis

et al. 2023

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SummaryWeight stigma research is largely focused on quantifiable outcomes with inadequate representation of the perspectives of those that are affected by it. This study offers a comprehensive systematic review and synthesis of weight stigma experienced in healthcare settings, from the perspective of patients living with obesity. A total of 1340 studies was screened, of which 32 were included in the final synthesis. Thematic synthesis generated three overarching analytical themes: (1) verbal and non‐verbal communication of stigma, (2) weight stigma impacts the provision of care, and (3) weight stigma and systemic barriers to healthcare. The first theme relates to the communication of weight stigma perceived by patients within patient–provider interactions. The second theme describes the patients' perceptions of how weight stigma impacts upon care provision. The third theme highlighted the perceived systemic barriers faced by patients when negotiating the healthcare system. Patient suggestions to reduce weight stigma in healthcare settings are also presented. Weight stigma experienced within interpersonal interactions migrates to the provision of care, mediates gaining equitable access to services, and perpetuates a poor systemic infrastructure to support the needs of patients with obesity. A non‐collaborative approach to practice and treatment renders patients feeling they have no control over their own healthcare requirements.

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‘Being defined’: large-bodied women’s experiences as healthcare consumers

Cited by 11 publications

References 38 publications

The Violence of Fat Hatred in the “Obesity Epidemic” Discourse

The Violence of Fat Hatred in the “Obesity Epidemic” Discourse

“Sharing lived experience”: Describing a virtual counselor-facilitated LGBTQ+ support group for disordered eating.

Weight stigma experienced by patients with obesity in healthcare settings: A qualitative evidence synthesis

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