Obesity is usually reduced to numbers — BMI, calories, weight — but those stats leave out the person behind them. Experts stress that people with obesity should be treated as whole individuals, not just defined by their condition.
Language matters: saying “a person with obesity” instead of “an obese person” helps reduce stigma. That stigma in healthcare can lead to people avoiding care, getting misdiagnosed, and struggling with mental health.
A better approach means compassion, focusing on overall well-being (mental, emotional, physical), and training providers to recognize their biases.
Bottom line: your worth isn’t tied to your weight — and healthcare should reflect that.
