Revealing yet another venue in which overweight people "don't get no respect," as Rodney Dangerfield might put it, research conducted at Johns Hopkins Medical School suggests that doctors have less respect for their obese patients than they do for patients of normal weight. A Johns Hopkins press release reports that data was collected from 238 patients at 14 urban community medical
practices in Baltimore. Patients and physicians completed
questionnaires about their visit, their attitudes, and their
perceptions of one another upon the completion of the encounter. The researchers found that each 10-unit increase in Body Mass Index was associated
with a 14 percent higher prevalence of low patient respect.
Why do we care? Because, John Hopkins reports, previous studies have shown that when physicians respect their patients, patients get more information from their doctors.
Health, fitness and lifestyle tips for people over 50 who still like to play hard
Sunday, June 1, 2025
Usually drs are younger and just starting out. They have not had the time or experience personally to know that there are more important things than size. Be it is important to do the best you can do many times the best is to not expect more out of yourself than life gives you.
It funny that doctors don’t respect “fat” patinets, especailly since most of the doctors many person see have weight issues themselves!
It would be intersting to see a study of how doctors respond to obviously physicaly fit patients who have developed various chronic illnesses such as joint dysfunctions, neuropathy, unusual protiens that like to eat one’s own bones, etc.
From personal experience it would seem that they either can’t accept that someone who “looks” like an athlete can get ill or they seem to think you cretaed the problem yourself by what you did to get in shape even when all test prove your not a “juicer”.
The only doctors who seem to appreciate athletes appear to be sports medicine specialist.
Such is life…namaste
I can believe that doctors don’t respect overweight people,I have a cousin who’s overweight,with sever stomach pain.They won’t do the tests she asks for or even try to give her some relief from her pain.They just say there’s nothing wrong,she’s just fat.
has she tried food combining?
has she tried food combining?
I believe it, fat people over all dont get any respect. I been over weight all my life, and it has held me back from dating, having more friends, also when you are ugly, like I am, that really puts a damper on ones life. People are trained when they are growing up, that if your not good looking, slim, you were born to be a loser. I am now retired and live alone, and most likely will die alone. Life’s a bitch, and then you die:( Just had to put this in writing.
There are some problems which may be caused by being overweight. Instead of correcting their weight problem some patients want the Dr. to correct it with pills. This is very discouraging to physicians because most medications have side effects that in themselves may cause a problem. We have become a very overweight society and its getting worse. I was a small boy during WWll, you never or very rarely saw an overweight person. No fast food. If you wanted a hamburger you had to go inside or sit in your car while it was prepared. No TV. Kids played outside. Lots of physical activity. Overweight people are responsible for being overweight in most cases. A few may be related to hormone problems. We all can make excuses but in the final analyses its usually our problem. There are no quick fixes that don’t have problems and may be very serious. The answer: watch what you and your family eat and the amount of exercise that you get. Almost everyone can walk.
I had to respond after reading your post. I’ve lived alone all my life, not a weight problemn but other issues. If you accept any external or sociatal definition of being a success, THAT makes you a self-defeating loser. Be your own person. Don’t let others define your self-image. If being overweight is a problem TO YOU, not because Vogue or Men’s Health says it is, then correct it.
We all die alone, no matter the # of friends and/or family here. The only thing that truly matters is shere we spend eternity – but that’s another subject.
I agree with the article. Thin and trim doctors can’t relate to anyone who has a weight problem because they don’t have one. Therefore, no one should have a problem. It’s the patients fault. I have known several thin friends who have severe health problems, including diabetes. They get better care and more information from their doctors than my overweight friends. Doctors need a little more knowledge and a little less smugness.
bottom line is this; when a person goes to the Dr. it shouldn’t matter if they are overweight or skinny, the Dr. has a responability to give each person the best care/information possiable, and if the Drs. can’t put their own prejudice’s aside and do whats right, then maybe they better quit and find another job where they won’t have to deal with overweight people. I too have been overweight most of my life and I know first hand that it doesn’t matter that I’m a good person, people look at me and assume that just because I’m overweight that I’m lazy, and they seem to think that I don’t have any feelings, as they are quick to make fun of the fat man. In my case being heavy runs in my family, but most people I’ve met don’t know this because they want take the time to get to know the fat man. oh well their loss.
Why do you tolerate Doctors abuse? He is your paid employee and you should make that well know if necessary and let him know you can go somewhere else. Insist on being treated with respect and you will be, Roll over like a dog and you will be dissed.
Even i have noticed this before i read this blog and i was really excite to know the reason behind this. This is absolutely true. I think this is and injustice to far patients.