According to the World Health Organization, more than 422 million people across the world have diabetes.¹ Wowza. That’s a lot of diabuddies. Unfortunately, people with type 2 diabetes in particular are often stereotyped as being lazy and overweight. It’s also assumed that they caused their diabetes themselves by eating too much sugar. *Facepalm.*
Diabetes is super complex. While carrying extra pounds is indeed a risk factor for being diagnosed, people that aren’t overweight can also have diabetes! Despite the fact that a diabetes diagnosis is the result of a culmination of factors, including genetics and family history, people with diabetes continue to face obesity and diabetes related stigmas.
Stereotyping anyone because of their weight is wrong. Unfortunately, this type of discrimination occurs in the medical field too.
Frustrated with the obesity stigmas that surround diabetes? Then keep on reading to take a closer look at what causes this type of stigma and discover tips to overcome it.
Understanding Obesity- and Diabetes-Related Stigma
Studies show that some of the negative stereotypes associated with type 2 diabetes include: someone who is fat, lazy, an over-eater, and a glutton.² These stereotypes serve to suggest that people with diabetes bring it on themselves. Which, we already know, is downright untrue.
Other conditions rarely have the same stigma attached to them. People who develop breast cancer aren’t blamed for their disease. But society can be very unaccepting of people with diabetes.
Diabetes and obesity stigmas end up triggering negative feelings in people with diabetes, feelings like blame, rejection, or self loathing, as they wind up feeling that they brought this on themselves or should have done better. Sadly, more than half of people living with type 2 diabetes report that they have experienced stigma or discrimination at some point.³
Common Sources of Stigma
Multiple sources of diabetes stigma exist, which negatively affect the way we see people with diabetes. Stigma can come from many places:
- The Media: The media consistently creates stigma when it comes to diabetes, often portraying people with diabetes as couch potatoes who overindulge in sugar and never exercise. In the media, type 2 diabetes is classified as a lifestyle disease, reserved almost exclusively for lazy, overweight people.
- Some Healthcare Providers: Unfortunately, some healthcare providers continue to reenforce stigma and shame among people with diabetes. Sometimes healthcare professionals focus on what people are doing wrong instead of encouraging them or providing them with helpful advice on how to improve.
- Family and Friends: Although loved ones may have good intentions, they can also be judgmental and hurtful towards people with diabetes. No one enjoys being told what they should eat or that they should go and exercise, as if it’s their own fault for having diabetes.
Overcoming Obesity Stigmas When You Have Diabetes
So, what can we do when it comes to fighting these stigmas? Here are some tips to help you overcome harmful stereotyping and to change the way people around you view you and your diabetes.
Focus on Self-Care Instead of Appearance
Learn to focus more on self-care and diabetes management instead of your appearance. Try asking your medical team to help you come up with a management plan based on self-care behaviors instead of just numbers on the scale. If your team won’t support your request, it’s time to look for a new healthcare professional… one that will work with you WITHOUT obesity stigmas in mind.
Focus on Actions Instead of Your Weight
It’s true that losing even a small amount of weight can help improve type 2 diabetes. However, instead of focusing on a number, hone in on the actions you can take to manage your diabetes. This includes making healthy food choices, finding creative ways to get active, checking blood sugars regularly, and following your diabetes care plan. Remember, many actions work together to improve blood sugar levels, regardless of what size you are.
Beware of Social Media!
Social media often fixates on special diets and specific exercise programs designed to help people achieve what is considered the ‘ideal’ body. Unfollow sources that promote this harmful content!
Help Educate Others
Misinformation is often the reason why so many people believe in the obesity-related stigmas surrounding type 2 diabetes. Help educate your friends and family members about diabetes. Teach them about the real causes of diabetes. Inform them that people of all shapes and sizes can develop diabetes. Tell them that if diabetes runs in your family, you still may develop it, no matter how healthy you are.
You can also educate loved ones on what it takes to manage diabetes and how stigmas negatively impact you physically and emotionally. Arming people around you with facts and eliminating common diabetes myths can help them become more empathetic, compassionate, and ready to fight stigma!
Connect with Like-Minded People
The guilt and stigma that surround diabetes make it that little bit harder to live with. If you feel you’re having a hard time coping with stigma, consider joining a support group of like-minded people or seeking help from a mental health professional, to help you start viewing type 2 diabetes in a more positive way.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources:
- World Health Organization, 2020. Diabetes. [webpage] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes [Accessed 02/03/21].
- Browne, J.L., Ventura, A., Moseley, K., Speight, J., 2013. ‘I call it the blame and shame disease’: a qualitative study about perceptions of social stigma surrounding type 2 diabetes, [online]. Available at: https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/11/e003384.ful
- DiaTribe, 2016. How Do We Reduce Diabetes Stigma and Guilt? [webpage] Available at: https://diatribe.org/how-do-we-reduce-diabetes-stigma-and-guilt [Accessed 02/03/21].
The mySugr website does not provide medical or legal advice. mySugr blog articles are not scientific articles, but intended for informational purposes only.
Medical or nutritional information on the mySugr website is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician or health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
