Obesity Discrimination

Obesity Discrimination

There appears in a local newspaper an ad for employment, and there are two positions available. Three applicants inquire about, and receive interviews for the jobs. All three applicants have comparable education, as well as similar work histories. Applicant number one has a history of serious mental illness while number two is a convicted felon who has served time. Applicant number three is obese. Who gets hired? All current employment data gathered from prospective employers clearly states that the applicant least likely to obtain one of the two openings is number three, the obese applicant (Roehling). Obesity discrimination permeates every aspect of our society and touches 25% of Americans. Obese citizens should be afforded the same rights and privileges as any other person and not merely disregarded simply because of how they look. Yet, this is not the reality that these people face. There is overwhelming evidence showing that obese citizens are unfairly discriminated against, thus demanding that individuals be educated in order to change their thinking and that legislative protection be offered to this segment of the population.

Every day activities such as work, school, seeking health attention or even taking a trip can be excruciatingly painful experiences for an obese person. What is a person to think when upon mere sight of them, the medical community at large dismisses them out of hand? Medical attention, for both physical and mental needs, is a fundamental right we all share, yet corpulent people are often afraid to seek needed help. Many times they fear being ostracized based solely on their weight. This is a valid fear, as there is a body of evidence showing that unfair treatment exists in this arena.

“Studies have shown that therapists expect less positive treatment outcomes for such clients and perceive them as more symptomatic and self-conscious as well as less physically attractive and engaged in treatment than more slender clients” (Dittman). How can a mental health professional conclude that a heavy person is going to be less engaging in aiding his or her own recovery in therapy? “Particularly alarming are findings that even specialists in obesity fall prey to negative associations when working with obese patients. For example, a recent study found that even health professionals--including psychologists--who specialize in obesity often used words such as "lazy," "stupid" and "worthless" to describe obese people they come into contact with in their personal and professional lives” (Dittman). While these professionals are not likely to use these terms in the presence of a large person, the fact that they use them at all shows a jaded view toward this population. This calls into question the quality of treatment the individual is receiving from the mental health professional. But, the discrimination does not end there. There are more obvious physical needs that the medical community fails to meet, as well.

Obese people should not have to make special requests when visiting the doctor, such as “large sized blood pressure cuffs, specialized scales, longer needles and wider examination tables” (Rosin). It can be embarrassing to bring these needs to the attention of the service provider, and yet the onus to do so seems to be on the patient. A nurse noticing that an elderly person needs help walking back to his appointment will likely help by offering a wheel chair. Why wouldn’t she similarly notice that a heavy person needed special help, either with mobility or getting a simple flu shot?

The fact that a persons physical or mental well being might not be given the same attention as a slender person is a moot point in cases where employers refuse to even offer health insurance to an overweight employee. Health risks such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure that are often associated with obesity have caused insurance companies to place higher rates on at risk populations. Consequently, some employers have chosen not to insure these populations. One cannot argue the quality of care that a heavy person receives if they are not even offered the care in the first place. None of this should be contingent on one’s weight, whether they are heavy, slender, or even anorexic.

In fact, ask an average person what the biggest “weight” issue facing society today is and the most likely answer would be anorexia. Why? Anorexia has Hollywood appeal; there are movies of the week, after school specials, and biographical accounts of celebrities who have battled the disease. Yet, childhood obesity is actually the principal issue that our nation’s youth are faced with in regards to healthcare. “A nationwide survey reported in the October 1995 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine shows the number of