Obes Rev April 2015 PMID 25752756

Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity.

S M Phelan, D J Burgess, M W Yeazel, W L Hellerstedt, J M Griffin, M van Ryn

Mentions

210
Peak: 9 in Aug 2019
across 5 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

1,064,642
potential audience

Total likes

3,166

Video views

90,306

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Aug 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News119 articles
  • X / Twitter62 posts
  • Blogs21 articles
  • Facebook6 posts
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions consistently emphasize the proven negative effects of weight bias in healthcare, supported by references to studies like Phelan et al. (2015), where users employ strong language like 'uctual' and 'discrimination' to underline serious issues. The tone combines concern, support, and calls for action, demonstrating deep engagement and recognition of the article's importance in addressing healthcare disparities faced by obese patients.

AgreementModerate agreement

Many posts explicitly acknowledge and support the article's findings on weight bias affecting healthcare quality, showing strong agreement.

InterestHigh interest

Discussions indicate high engagement with the topic of weight stigma, with users referencing specific studies and sharing personal opinions.

EngagementHigh engagement

Numerous posts delve into detailed critiques, reference research papers, and discuss implications, reflecting deep engagement.

ImpactHigh impact

The posts collectively suggest the article has a significant influence on raising awareness and prompting discussion on healthcare disparities related to obesity.

Abstract in brief

  • The study reviews evidence showing that healthcare providers often hold negative stereotypes about patients with obesity, which can influence their perceptions, decisions, and behaviors, ultimately affecting the quality of care provided.
  • Experiences of stigma can lead to stress, mistrust, and avoidance of medical care among patients with obesity, negatively impacting their health outcomes.
  • The research highlights potential strategies to reduce obesity stigma in healthcare settings, aiming to improve care quality and patient outcomes.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mr Doctor
@MrDoctorOficial · X

Fuentes bibliográficas: -Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity: https://t.co/FSgJ7Q0SnM -Gordofobia: LA DISCRIMINACIÓN DE LAS PERSONAS GORDAS: https://t.co/fpIMME7zXj

Mar 2, 2023 · 58 likes · 1 share · 230,203 followers View post →
Academy for Eating Disorders
@aedweb · X

“Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide high‐quality care. “ https://t.co/fBVQnWr0UE

Aug 6, 2019 · 16 likes · 6 shares · 12,727 followers View post →
Elyesa Koytak
@ElyesaKoytak · X

Buna sosyolojide damga diyoruz. Amerika'da ciddi bir sorun olan obezite bir damgalanma konusudur ve yapılan bir araştırmaya göre bu damgalanma nedeniyle doktorlar obez hastalara daha az vakit ayırıp, daha yanlış teşhisler koymaktadır. https://t.co/mV8efta18v

Jul 17, 2021 · 11 likes · 9,220 followers View post →
Nutricionista Gordo
@erickacuzziol · X

Sobre os profissionais de saúde https://t.co/6fVcH2AR0R

Aug 10, 2020 · 8 likes · 9,448 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@EyeTheHorizon @BrandonLBradfor Fat people DO pay more for health insurance and still get worse care than their thinner counterparts. https://t.co/b2xYBe4WUJ

Sep 29, 2022 · 5 likes · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@antalya975 @HunterHammersen @tiredgenerally Here's a 2015 literature review. There are new studies coming out all the time: "Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity" https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Aug 23, 2021 · 5 likes · 5,426 followers View post →

All mentions

noname with a dog
@nonamewithdog · X

@Nahasaki @mariesoutofcon https://t.co/XT2qD0XKy6

Aug 4, 2025 · 11 followers View post →
goobsbian
@goobsbian · X

@batgirlic https://t.co/BROyOjfajs https://t.co/PYtrXuOZFw https://t.co/ChuZkfrsMo https://t.co/NW96xo3pvR https://t.co/QZafxOsjRP

Apr 1, 2024 · 1 like · 740 followers View post →
Claire Levy
@levylevilevoo · X

@nedk1119 @JimGleeson @greg_travis @karanjms @orntwo Do you think bariatric wards focus on anything other than "elective" amputation of the GI tract? Or is it that you think fat people don't deserve "healthcare" until they've gone through bariatric surgery? Here is, but one, study on medical weight bias. https://t.co/6J5td43WaB https://t.co/g4Zjm0CBVj

Jan 9, 2024 · 145 followers View post →
MojxLP
@MojxLP · X

@AyudaMedicaMX @volandoando64 En unos tweets justificas tu posición diciendo "solo digo que incrementa probabilidades" pero aquí estás hablando de "sentencia". Tu sesgo es palpable desde un principio, pero deberías de notarlo tu mismo aquí. Cuida como tú sesgo afecta a pacientes https://t.co/HOlHM1kptr

Nov 20, 2023 · 24 followers View post →
Jin Russell
@DrJinRussell · X

@dimsie @Drdork74 @tclearwater_nz @Drdork74 there is a clear evidence base for @dimsie’s criticism that weight bias among doctors leads to patients not being offered appropriate treatment (my paraphrase) and having symptoms overlooked. This isn’t what we want for our patients, surely? https://t.co/UIuHMfUsjV https://t.co/LI7QzhfyXu

Mar 15, 2023 · 2 likes · 22,856 followers View post →
Guillermo Méndez
@Memo99373405 · X

RT @MrDoctorOficial: Fuentes bibliográficas: -Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity:…

Mar 3, 2023 · 1 share · 266 followers View post →
Mr Doctor
@MrDoctorOficial · X

Fuentes bibliográficas: -Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity: https://t.co/FSgJ7Q0SnM -Gordofobia: LA DISCRIMINACIÓN DE LAS PERSONAS GORDAS: https://t.co/fpIMME7zXj

Mar 2, 2023 · 58 likes · 1 share · 230,203 followers View post →
mae
@adokenaiii · X

@EasonDavid_88 @EmilyPierce01 @Lync713 https://t.co/lgYUI0PS0q https://t.co/PsdMyrqL6R https://t.co/472VUgFw8K https://t.co/1KdYWvIjhs https://t.co/pIOIIE7m1f https://t.co/H415I9Imdh https://t.co/0E7tQvStTM

Jan 5, 2023 · 1,285 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@EyeTheHorizon @BrandonLBradfor Fat people DO pay more for health insurance and still get worse care than their thinner counterparts. https://t.co/b2xYBe4WUJ

Sep 29, 2022 · 5 likes · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@IllPayToDiffer @gmfk07 @lankyfranki3 @tragicbirdapp Here is a paper on the impact that bias has on fat patients and health outcomes: https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Sep 14, 2022 · 1 like · 5,426 followers View post →
JB—HeavyWeight Track Star—Clark
@LettersClark · X

Weight stigma causes sustained cortisol production and subsequent negative health outcomes. (https://t.co/9eAgy0zrYd) It also leads to worse provider care. (https://t.co/0Tr7Og4pdI) So fat-shame violates the Hippocratic oath ("First do no harm). Can we stop now? #FatShame

Jul 7, 2022 · 1 like · 595 followers View post →
StopBeingStupid
@WeRallSTUPlD · X

Phelan, S.M., Burgess, D.J., Yeazel, M.W., Hellerstedt, W.L., Griffin, J.M. and van Ryn, M. (2015), Obesity stigma and patient care. Obes Rev, 16: 319-326. https://t.co/WOmg96CPq2

Feb 5, 2022 · 1 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

I weep for their patients :-( https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Jan 4, 2022 · 2 likes · 5,426 followers View post →
Christie Heltzell
@RanaAurora · X

@zartmo3 @LuluMcSideways @_celia_bedelia_ @Nixxed @MsBigRedButton @SupremacyWoke @ProfEmilyOster Uh, yes. And here's a study that ACTUALLY supports what I said: https://t.co/3LI29Emuqj

Dec 14, 2021 · 1,511 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@mogotraining Here's a literature review from 2015 showing all the studies done on this non-existent phenomenon: https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 12, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@CamiIIePaglia https://t.co/h9FsSgRFmB https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU https://t.co/O5uaKVDh19

Oct 11, 2021 · 1 like · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@watchemenicu @libsoftiktok Fatphobia is WELL-DOCUMENTED in health care. Don't make a fool of yourself. https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@BenFranklinMD1 https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@JessenKim1 @teknikal50bmg https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@undercoverbs98 @FatsPostingLs (note: "fatphobia" is called weight bias and/or weight stigma in academic literature) https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@Siponthefluids Your comment makes no sense, especially bc in this case, the fatphobia she's describing has resulted in her getting inadeuate care. Her anecdotal evidence aligns w/ the data: Fatphobia in healthcare doesn't lead to better health, it leads to poorer health. https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@CasuallyGreg You're right, "fatphobia" is not a fear of fat ppl. It refers to stigma, bias and discrimination against fat ppl: https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Oct 11, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@WhatQueerIsThis You're right, fatphobia isn't exactly like any other system of oppression. But fat ppl experience oppression nonetheless. Thanks to persistent and pervasive weight bias, fat ppl get consistently poorer health care: https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU [literature review]

Sep 1, 2021 · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@JonathonMcColl1 @nicolebyer No mincing words: you are directly responsible for the poor health care that fat ppl receive. https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU [literature review]

Aug 30, 2021 · 1 like · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@DeathlySkeletal @DocSemenGoblin Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU [literature review]

Aug 29, 2021 · 1 like · 5,426 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@antalya975 @HunterHammersen @tiredgenerally Here's a 2015 literature review. There are new studies coming out all the time: "Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity" https://t.co/tmm69F5hXU

Aug 23, 2021 · 5 likes · 5,426 followers View post →
Matt Matros
@Matt_Matros · X

@JenShahade Stuff like in this NIH study I just found with a quick Google. There's lots more like it. "Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity" https://t.co/Vt2GpAPTnW

Aug 21, 2021 · 3,291 followers View post →
Elyesa Koytak
@ElyesaKoytak · X

Buna sosyolojide damga diyoruz. Amerika'da ciddi bir sorun olan obezite bir damgalanma konusudur ve yapılan bir araştırmaya göre bu damgalanma nedeniyle doktorlar obez hastalara daha az vakit ayırıp, daha yanlış teşhisler koymaktadır. https://t.co/mV8efta18v

Jul 17, 2021 · 11 likes · 9,220 followers View post →
Jessie Furman, MS, RDN (she/her)
@JessieDietitian · X

@AndrewBatesMD @AmyLaskyMD That's fantastic. I'm sure you are aware of the strong negative outcomes associated with weight bias by healthcare providers: Avoidance of scheduled visits, avoidance or delayed care, mistrust of doctors, ... Here's a 2015 article that may interest you: https://t.co/CWjfAAtS9Y

May 18, 2021 · 341 followers View post →
THEE mj
@scib0rg · X

@rvangi @twterfcknsucks Do you have access to Pubmed? https://t.co/p9YacdwKHl

Mar 26, 2021 · 1 like · 5,426 followers View post →
abid ahmed
@Abid_Ahmed2021 · X

This was a research article conducting Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity. Going along with the reading for this week about fat acceptance movement but the impact of obesity is far more serious https://t.co/HvsNLSdACv

Mar 24, 2021 · 23 followers View post →
BASQUIATU
@onewiththefunk · X

@Idekdan @Krys_yogi @urchilla01 @AfamDeluxo @Sports_Doctor2 @UgwunnaEjikem https://t.co/oO50rDy3FB https://t.co/4wxILCOfmB You can check them out This is a researched phenomenon

Feb 26, 2021 · 264 followers View post →
MethodologicalMarxian
@JPNessFant · X

@okletstweetplse @abouthalfthree https://t.co/MaP2XulR9a

Feb 24, 2021 · 120 followers View post →
Kourtney Johnson
@nourishedwKourt · X

@FoodFirst_Ty Links to research: https://t.co/dKPOlsseY0 https://t.co/LxCTmBGt8C

Feb 15, 2021 · 38 followers View post →
Kasia Banas
@edinkasia · X

3. Phelan et al. (2015). Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity. https://t.co/HlKa1lA3r5 #openaccess Narrative review of the effects of weight stigma in #healthcare, including avoidance, lower adherence, and stress.

Jan 19, 2021 · 640 followers View post →
Eanáir
@Eanair_ · X

@Adritanke @Tintinaco @gamusino https://t.co/DvMFNTjJOF

Nov 20, 2020 · 1 like · 240 followers View post →
Nutricionista Gordo
@erickacuzziol · X

Sobre os profissionais de saúde https://t.co/6fVcH2AR0R

Aug 10, 2020 · 8 likes · 9,448 followers View post →
erwan
@theMedTektrader · X

Phelan, S. M., Burgess, D. J., Yeazel, M. W., Hellerstedt, W. L.,…& Ryn, V. M. ‘Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity’. Obesity Reviews, 16 (4) (2015), pp. 319–26.

Jun 28, 2020 · 1,035 followers View post →
Christine Huddleston
@chuddles11 · X

RT @zaailor: @RobertFife @JustinTrudeau @Puglaas @OttawaReporter @bramham_daphne @WestCoast_LEAF @peterzimonjic @janephilpott @dankahnem6A2…

May 31, 2020 · 1 share · 13,883 followers View post →
michael r barrett
@zaailor · X

@RobertFife @JustinTrudeau @Puglaas @OttawaReporter @bramham_daphne @WestCoast_LEAF @peterzimonjic @janephilpott @dankahnem6A2k18 @M_Heffernan @l_stone @liberal_party @JennyKwanBC @AaronWherry @cjchivers @gmbutts @Gvaliante @AndrewScheer @GinettePT @LolaHensley @CDNMinHealth @kahowlett @nickallen789 @chuddles11 @3mendous @omeraziz12 @SondheimSociety @RosieBarton @RobertLustigMD @Sydney_Uni @WuDunn @j_agius @daniwebb_ @kingdomofevan @gmleunghku @mlipsitch @CNN @LaurenPelley @adamsmiller @CPHO_Canada @Alex_Panetta @RoniNYTimes @BBC_HaveYourSay @jjhorgan @abbyellin @GovCanHealth @j_mcelroy .@SarahxPeterson Ask @CPHO_Canada when is #cdnpoli going to flag being #obese or #overweight as a hi risk for having a severe case of #COVID19 & #dying? Protections & supports @DFisman speaks of in https://t.co/9zNO2rF50n need to stop manifesting this https://t.co/A0IAflTzd4 ! https://t.co/eGZKw

May 31, 2020 · 1 share · 109 followers View post →
Dr. Angela Rasmussen
@angie_rasmussen · X

@ScottAdamsSays @katapayadi https://t.co/2rzDZqGp6T Sorry, didn't attach the review in the first reply. Here it is.

May 14, 2020 · 4 likes · 481,686 followers View post →
Sarah
@weight_bias_eng · X

Stigma on obesity makes people less likely to see a doctor, which can cause health problems to spin out of control. Medicine shouldn’t treat weight loss like a cure-all; it should address all aspects of patients’ needs. https://t.co/EpzMIzl0os https://t.co/6gY8qiNtKv

Feb 19, 2020 · 4 followers View post →
Relatable Resident
@relatableafmd · X

@kari_jerge @PragueorBrno You're right, I don't know about that specific phrase. But there's plenty to suggest that weight bias in the healthcare is a serious issue https://t.co/SUXMjeTkA6

Jan 30, 2020 · 3 likes · 8,891 followers View post →
Zoe Williams
@DrZoeWilliams · X

RT @aedweb: “Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide…

Aug 11, 2019 · 6 shares · 16,280 followers View post →
IMT for EatingDisorders
@IMTforEDs · X

RT @ANZAED1: We are beginning to better recognise the impact of #weightbias and #weightstigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients…

Aug 8, 2019 · 2 shares · 2,727 followers View post →
CSI-Oz
@CSI_lcrhms · X

RT @ANZAED1: We are beginning to better recognise the impact of #weightbias and #weightstigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients…

Aug 8, 2019 · 2 shares · 1,205 followers View post →
ANZAED
@ANZAED1 · X

We are beginning to better recognise the impact of #weightbias and #weightstigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients in larger bodies (#obesity). Do you know your own implicit attitudes and possible bias? Take the test within the article... https://t.co/cHO1Uyansi

Aug 7, 2019 · 3 likes · 2 shares · 1,437 followers View post →
K.L. Montgomery
@KLMontgomery8 · X

RT @aedweb: “Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide…

Aug 7, 2019 · 6 shares · 734 followers View post →
PauSaludMental
@PauSaludMental · X

RT @aedweb: “Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide…

Aug 7, 2019 · 6 shares · 4,452 followers View post →
CM
@Clarish2 · X

RT @aedweb: “Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide…

Aug 6, 2019 · 6 shares · 247 followers View post →
Ariel Beccia
@arielbeccia · X

RT @aedweb: “Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide…

Aug 6, 2019 · 6 shares · 1,537 followers View post →
Academy for Eating Disorders
@aedweb · X

“Stigma can reduce the quality of care for patients with obesity despite the best intentions of healthcare providers to provide high‐quality care. “ https://t.co/fBVQnWr0UE

Aug 6, 2019 · 16 likes · 6 shares · 12,727 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus Maybe a sixth? https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus You seem to still be missing my link, Bud. Here it is a 5th time: https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus And I’ll send it a fourth time, just to be EXTRA safe: https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus And just in case you miss it one more time... https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
kayle hill ♿️
@kaylejh · X

@Austinyaustin @ToUnbecome @NinsMum @juliecollins4 @MavenOfMayhem @MileyCyrus Since you made it clear that you’re indeed too lazy: https://t.co/TkJDgCpwHE

Jul 8, 2019 · 6,520 followers View post →
Ximena Ramos Salas
@xramossalas · X

@DCScherer Obes Rev. 2015 Apr; 16(4): 319–326. Published online 2015 Mar 5. doi: 10.1111/obr.12266

Jun 12, 2019 · 1,587 followers View post →
Monica (She/Her)
@MonicaMoore422 · X

Impact of weight bias and stigma on quality of care and outcomes for patients with obesity https://t.co/gZxvPeJ5im

Apr 16, 2019 · 564 followers View post →
MedPro Group
@MedProProtector · X

Weight bias can result in poor outcomes and unsatisfactory experiences for obese patients. How can healthcare providers address this bias and provide quality patient care? https://t.co/TniUoT01te

Apr 5, 2019 · 1 like · 3,436 followers View post →
kivan
@KivanBay · X

@epicciuto Pew pew. Not going to clutter your mentions too bad with stuff, but since you asked up above, here's some papers that I think are pretty great: https://t.co/v34wBKmara https://t.co/pTfIc6xpuR https://t.co/IJZEJBXAZr I salute you on your journey into the world of fat studies! https://t.co/F8uXOeB7em

Mar 9, 2019 · 2 likes · 14,506 followers View post →