‘Starve yourself’: weight stigma harms health treatment

[Pelican Press 0]

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‘Starve yourself’: weight stigma harms health treatment

For more than two decades, Lorna Berry has been told to lose weight to treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

“One doctor said, ‘Well, just starve yourself’,” the 54-year-old told AAP.

“Someone else said the way (I was) was fine; neither of those things were helpful.”

A series of studies released on Monday has found the stigma around weight is as a barrier to women in need of treatment for the syndrome.

The syndrome can cause menstruation problems, infertility, excess body hair and higher risk of cardiometabolic conditions such as diabetes and weight gain.

Ms Berry was diagnosed when she was 32, but 22 years later it ******** a battle to manage her weight.

“To maintain and not put weight on, I would have to think about everything that I eat,” she said.

A key issue for her has been how health professionals treat her weight.

“I can remember going to the doctor as a teenager and (saying), ‘I’m really worried about my weight’,” she said.

She said what would help is for doctors to look further than just at weight, approaching treatment by collaborating with, listening to, and believing women.

“It is really important to recognise when young people come into surgery that (doctors) peel back the layers, look at (it) more holistically, not just having a superficial answer.”

A focus on weight loss has been found to have a negative impact on mental health, researchers at Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation have found.

They reviewed 68 papers and all of the reports agreed that education for doctors was inadequate and was affecting the quality of care and health outcomes.

One of the authors, dietician Margaret McGowan, said people with larger and smaller bodies were both affected by weight stigma but in different ways.

“Some in smaller bodies are often denied lifestyle management of PCOS and perceived as ‘healthy’ by healthcare professionals,” she said.

“Those in larger bodies often receive care focused on weight loss, negating other concerns they may have.”

Overall, the study called for systemic changes including improved education on lifestyle management for health professionals.

Ms McGowan said doctors should prioritise changes, such as improvements in physical activity and diet, and offering weight neutral care.

Health professionals must also address mental health concerns such as disordered eating, anxiety and depression.

“To make this possible those with PCOS need better access to allied health professionals who are experts in PCOS and can support them long term,” she said.

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