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Weight stigma speaks Italian, too.
G Muscogiuri1,2,3, L Barrea4,5, L Verde4
1Dipartimento Di Medicina Clinica E Chirurgia, Unit of Endocrinology, Federico II University Medical School of Naples, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy. giovanna.muscogiuri@unina.it.
Journal of Endocrinological Investigation
|November 28, 2022
Summary
Weight stigma is pervasive among individuals with obesity in Italy, with 98% experiencing it. Verbal mistreatment from strangers in public settings is most common, highlighting urgent needs for intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Sociology of health
- Public health
- Obesity research
Background:
- Weight stigma involves negative attitudes towards individuals with overweight or obesity.
- Obesity is a growing epidemic with significant social consequences.
- Weight-related stigma can be pervasive and serious, necessitating urgent action.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences of weight stigma in Italy.
- To identify interpersonal sources and contexts of weight stigma.
- To understand weight stigma in a sample of adult subjects with obesity.
Main Methods:
- An online questionnaire was distributed to adults with obesity in Italy.
- Snowball sampling was used, recruiting participants through Italian Associations for people living with obesity.
- The study included respondents aged 18 years and above.
Main Results:
- 98% of 403 participants reported experiencing weight stigma.
- Verbal mistreatment (92.43%) by strangers (92.43%) in public settings (88.08%) were most frequently reported.
- Stigma was experienced across all life stages: childhood (75.39%), adolescence (89.88%), and adulthood (94.82%).
Conclusions:
- Weight stigma is a widespread issue in Italy affecting individuals with obesity.
- Interpersonal sources and public settings are key contexts for weight stigma.
- Targeted strategies are needed to reduce weight stigma and improve obesity treatment outcomes.
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