Archive · 11 Dec 2025
Study reveals deep self-stigma in obese individuals seeking bariatric care
A new study found that many people in India who are very overweight and are thinking about weight-loss surgery feel really bad about themselves because of their weight.
More than 70% of the people in the study felt this way.
The study also found that many of these people feel sad, less attractive, and even question their own abilities because of their weight.
This feeling is often caused by being bullied or seeing negative things about weight in the media.
Doctors say it's important to help these people feel better about themselves, not just help them lose weight.
They also say that obesity is a serious health problem, not just a personal failure.
A study found high levels of internalized weight bias among 142 obese individuals seeking bariatric surgery in India.
71.1% of participants scored above the neutral point on the Weight Bias Internalization Scale (WBIS).
74.6% of participants felt depressed about their weight, and more than half felt less attractive.
Younger individuals and those with higher BMI experienced stronger internalized bias.
Doctors emphasize the need for emotional support alongside medical treatment for obesity.
- Who
- Individuals with obesity seeking metabolic and bariatric surgery in India
- What
- A study on the prevalence of internalized weight bias and its emotional impact
- When
- Published in the International Federation for the Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO)’s Obesity Surgery journal
- Where
- India
- Why
- To understand the mental and emotional health impact of obesity and internalized weight bias
- Study Title
- The Burden from Within—An Indian Pilot Study on Weight Bias Internalisation
- Journal
- International Federation for the Surgery and Other Therapies for Obesity (IFSO)’s Obesity Surgery journal
- Participants
- 142 (78.9% women)
- BMI Criteria
- ≥ 27.5 Kg/m²
- Internalized Weight Bias
- 71.1% scored above neutral
- Depression Due to Weight
- 74.6% felt depressed
- Obesity Prevalence in India (2019-21)
- 24% women, 22.9% men aged 15-49