Fat shaming 'makes people eat more rather than less'

For some people it is simply a case being “cruel to be kind”. But, contrary to a belief that calling people fat will motivate them to lose weight, so-called “fat shaming” can lead to overweight people eating more.

A new study warns that shaming those who are overweight fails to help them to slim down. Instead, highlighting their condition or discriminating against them in everyday life can cause them to put on more weight as they resort to comfort eating.

In a study of 2,944 British adults over four years, those who reported experiencing day-to-day “weight discrimination” gained more weight than those who did not.

Experts warned that such people were often treated disrespectfully by their own doctors - making the matter worse. Some doctors were underplaying the multiple factors which can contribute to obesity, including genetics, they suggested.

Dr Sarah Jackson, of University College London, one of the authors of the report, said much of the problem was down to the “language of blame” being used towards overweight people, as well as well-meaning family and friends pointing out something which is already obvious to the person involved.

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