Exploratory study on fat stigma experiences among users of the Valencian public health system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15257/ehquidad.2025.0018Keywords:
Weight Stigma, Medical Fatphobia, Medical Abuse, Health Inequalities, SpainAbstract
Weight stigma, often known as fatphobia, exists in multiple societal contexts and infringes upon human rights, particularly those of girls and women. This may result in discrimination that adversely affects their health. Nevertheless, there is limited knowledge regarding similar experiences in the Spanish and Latin American contexts. This research aimed to investigate the stigma associated with fatness encountered by users of the Valencian public health system. A qualitative methodology was employed. A discourse analysis was performed based on interviews with 26 women aged 18 to 61. This study of the experiences of fat women within the healthcare context is one of the limited research undertaken on this subject in Spain and Latin America. The findings indicate that: a) participants faced verbal, behavioural, and environmental fat stigma; b) they encountered obstacles in obtaining diagnoses; c) they suffered gynaecological and obstetric violence stemming from fatphobic biases; d) these experiences hindered their attempts to seek assistance. The elimination of the stigma phenomena identified is necessary for equitable and non-discriminatory healthcare. The evidence discovered and the fifteen practical proposals that are included can serve as a foundation for public policies and actions that are designed to improve the health and well-being of fat individuals and humanise medicine.
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