Time to end weight stigma in healthcare

Weight stigma and discrimination is experienced by people living with obesity (PLWO) on almost a daily basis, across many settings. Counterintuitively, given that healthcare settings should be a safe space that is free of judgement, empirical evidence has demonstrated that weight stigma in healthcare settings is pervasive, where PLWO are stigmatised, disrespected, and in some instances discriminated against through lack of equitable access to care [1]. The conscious and unconscious stigmatising attitudes held by healthcare professionals is a reflection of (1) exposure to consistent and widespread weight stigma, and (2) the lack of training and education for healthcare professionals about the complexity of obesity as well as how to avoid bias and stigmatising attitudes that may impact care for PLWO.