Mental Health and Obesity

Weight bias or stigma refers to the discriminatory acts and ideologies targeted towards individuals because of their weight and size. This bias can lead to discriminatory behavior that affects a person's self-esteem/mental health, employment opportunities, and even the quality of healthcare they receive. We've created a guide to educate communities on the mental health effects of weight stigma, and how to take control of both your physical and mental health to be able to live your best life.

Renew Bariatrics is a community of doctors, surgeons, and employees dedicated to helping people live better by supporting healthy weight management. Their goal is to be a valuable source of information to help people make educated decisions about their physical and mental health.

Quoting from their website

"According to the World Health Organization, over 39% of adults globally are overweight or obese. They also remark that the number of obese people has tripled since 1975."

"There’s a strong link between mental health disorders and obesity. According to a study, obesity has been linked to increased lifetime diagnosis of major depression, panic disorder or agoraphobia, and bipolar disorder."

"Society’s negative perspectives on obesity are a significant cause of most mental health issues associated with being obese. These perspectives manifest themselves in the form of weight bias and discrimination."

More information is available on the Renew Bariatrics website.

Sam Larsen,

Outreach Coordinator

renewbariatrics.com