Abstract
Background: Weight stigma contributes to the present epidemic of obesity, and obese people with stigmatization are at risk of acquiring adverse physical, behavioral and psychological health outcomes
Objectives: to identify the source of obesity stigma and to examine the effect of obesity stigma on adults with overweight/obesity in Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross sectional study was done on a sample of the Saudi population from different regions. A pre-designed questionnaire was used to collect data about exposure to negative behavior by others because of obesity, ways and sources in which participants face discrimination and prejudice and participants were asked about their feelings and effect of obesity on their life and daily activities.
Results: Often, because of obesity, 25.6% of the participants were exposed to negative behavior by others, 18.2% were exposed to bad comments from children, 25.2% were exposed to physical barriers and 25.4% were exposed to bad comments from the family. The most important sources of discrimination against obese people were by family members (42.4%) and (27.9%) face this discrimination by self-love, and self-acceptance. Participants with an age ranging from 21-29 years had a significant higher frequency of those who reported exposure to negative behavior by others, bad comments from children, family and others, and encountered more physical barriers and obstacles compared to other age groups.
Conclusion: Obese individuals should be health educated to accept themselves and in the national discourse on obesity, weight stigma must be discussed.