Recently, popular body-positive influencer, Mia Thompson, shared a harrowing account of her “dehumanizing” experience during a doctor’s visit where she faced blatant weight bias. In a series of video clips, she recounted her visit for heart testing, stemming from difficulties in returning to her previous activity levels after a recent illness. Despite her heart tests returning “perfectly normal,” the doctor suggested she should start calorie counting and ominously warned that she could be dead before turning 65 if she didn’t lose weight.
What’s even more shocking is that Mia has a documented history of eating disorders. The physician dismissed her medical background and even questioned whether she might have had bulimia instead, seemingly unable to fathom that a fat person could ever restrict their food intake dangerously. Mia expressed her fear that calorie counting would lead her back to disordered eating, but the doctor offered no alternative solutions. Instead, he resorted to childish gestures, mimicking the act of shoveling food into her mouth.
Such dismissive attitudes are unfortunately common, as weight bias is often trivialized, with many still viewing obesity as a personal choice. In a particularly emotional moment, Mia admitted her reluctance to bring her partner to future appointments due to their similar body size, fearing that a thinner companion would lend her more credibility in the doctor’s eyes.
Mia shared with Healthy Living that finding a doctor who will treat her without the prerequisite of weight loss has been nearly impossible. She recalled being congratulated for weight loss even when seeking treatment for anxiety and nausea during her teenage years, despite her struggles with anorexia.
I can relate to her frustrations. A few years ago, I visited a specialist focused on weight loss. Instead of receiving the support I sought, I left feeling confused and embarrassed. The physician, who specializes in helping patients shed pounds, asked me a series of rapid-fire questions about weight-related issues. After I answered correctly, demonstrating a solid understanding of the science behind weight gain, he expressed shock at my size, implying that my intelligence was unexpected for someone with my weight. This left me feeling mortified.
The physician’s attitude highlights a significant problem; he ignored the myriad privileges that allowed me to answer his questions competently. It’s alarming that an obesity specialist would be surprised to encounter a knowledgeable fat individual. This illustrates the deep-rooted weight bias that still permeates the medical community.
Medical students, like Kunal Patel and Sarah Wang, have noted the glaring gap in training related to weight stigma, pointing out that while implicit biases are addressed, weight bias is often overlooked. Given that over 70% of American adults are considered overweight or obese, this neglect is inexcusable. There is a dire need for training that emphasizes the fair treatment of fat patients.
The lack of appropriate medical care for obese individuals is evident. Facilities are rarely designed with larger bodies in mind, leading to instances where patients receive inadequate care due to equipment limitations. A 2016 New York Times article discussed how some doctors give up on obese patients when standard scans don’t work, sometimes resorting to extreme measures that can be humiliating.
Weight stigma does not encourage fat patients to lose weight; it instead leads to avoidance of medical care altogether. A 2018 study published in the journal Body Image highlighted that women with higher BMIs experience increased shame and guilt, which correlates with a reluctance to seek healthcare.
Fat individuals have valid medical concerns that cannot be resolved with a simple salad and jog. The medical community must prioritize dismantling weight stigma to ensure that all patients receive the care they require, regardless of size. It is irrational for healthcare providers to dismiss or disbelieve a patient based solely on their appearance. Everyone deserves respect and proper treatment, and BMI should not be the sole determinant of health.
Mia Thompson’s experience is a stark reminder of the fear many fat individuals face when seeking medical care. She expressed her apprehension about emergency situations where fatphobic doctors might decide she doesn’t deserve their best care. No one should have to live in fear of being denied proper medical attention due to their body size.
Ultimately, sick individuals need to access healthcare without prejudice, and that should be a given. This issue is critical, as it can mean the difference between life and death for many.
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Summary
Fat individuals, like Mia Thompson, continue to face discrimination in medical settings, often receiving inadequate care due to weight bias. This pervasive stigma not only affects their healthcare experiences but also leads to a reluctance to seek necessary medical attention. The medical community must prioritize fair treatment for all patients, regardless of size, and reevaluate training related to weight stigma to ensure equitable healthcare.