Obese people in Germany are overly stigmatized and marginalized

XXL-Report: Being fat makes you sick and lonely
Obese people must not only fight against their overweight, but often also against prejudice and social exclusion. According to a recent survey, a majority of Germans are overweight and unaesthetic.

More and more Germans are too fat
More and more people worldwide are suffering from overweight and obesity. In Germany alone, about seven million people were on therapy for obesity in 2014. Compared to 2006, this was an increase of 14 percent. Those affected must fight not only against their extra pounds, but also against prejudice and social exclusion, as a recent study shows.

People who are very fat not only fight against their overweight but also often against prejudice and exclusion. According to a recent study, many Germans avoid contact with obese people. (Image: SENTELLO / fotolia.com)

Overweight people are stigmatized and marginalized
The thicker people are, the more they feel discriminated against, according to researchers from the Integrated Research and Treatment Center (IFB) Adiposity Diseases of the University of Leipzig in a study last year.

That this is not only felt like that, now shows a recent analysis of the health insurance DAK-health. The "XXL Report: Opinions and Assessments on Obesity and Obesity" shows that obese people in Germany are often stigmatized and marginalized. According to it, 71 percent of the population strongly overweight look unaesthetic. Every eighth deliberately avoids contact with those affected.

Common disease with over 60 comorbidities
According to a statement from the health insurer, the Forsa study also revealed that the majority of respondents believe that obesity is the culprit of the extra pounds and too lazy to lose weight.

Obesity has long been a common disease, which is caused by many factors. According to studies, obesity may be the trigger for more than 60 comorbidities. These include disorders of the blood vessels and the cardiovascular system such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis).

Obesity also increases the risk of arthritis, diabetes and cancers. According to health experts, even a minimal weight reduction would have a clear positive effect.

One in four adults is obese
According to DAK data, every fourth German adult between the ages of 18 and 79 is obese. That's 16 million people. Women and men are equally affected. The proportion of patients with extreme obesity (BMI over 40) more than doubled between 1999 and 2013.

The body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing the body weight in kilograms by the square of the height in meters. Adults with a BMI above 25 are considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) to be overweight, and those over 30 are severely overweight.

Slight overweight is rated partly positive
According to the "XXL-Report" of the DAK-Health, a slight overweight in our society is still mostly accepted and even rated positively, but "Obese people have a hard time in our society. They fight against pounds and prejudices, "said DAK Board member Thomas Bodmer. An educational campaign should help to put an end to the stigmatization of those affected. (Ad)