Overweight Women Face Some Docs' Disrespect
Women Tell Of Problems With Equipment, Attitudes
POSTED: Thursday, October 23, 2008
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Going to the doctor can be stressful for overweight and obese women, according to a new study.Eight women between the ages of 20 and 61 "described the experience of seeking healthcare as a constant battle and struggle and were upset by the reactions of healthcare staff" said lead author Emily Merrill of Texas Tech University. "They told us that they felt even more uncomfortable with specialists than with their own family doctors and nurse practitioners."Women talked about feeling shame and embarrassment because they did not fit into the normal health care environment because of their size and needed larger gowns, blood pressure cuffs, scales and chairs, according to a news release on the study.One woman said that she had to wait half an hour to have her blood pressure taken. Another said she had to plan ahead and make sure to request a larger fitting gown.A woman named Doris said her doctor was insensitive when she was giving birth."He said, 'Just relax and just envision yourself on a beach like a big ol' whale, beached.' That hurt me so much because already I felt big," she said.One woman said that she just wanted to be treated like any other patient."Don't look at me as some huge, overweight woman who needs your help," she said.The women also talked about being dismissed by health care professionals. One was refused treatment for her arthritis by a chiropractor because of her weight. Another was told to simply stop eating to control high blood pressure. She changed doctors and found one who treated her with respect."It is vital that health care providers tackle the issues raised by overweight women, as latest figures show that a third of women in the USA are obese. Research also shows that women may delay or avoid health care if providers have reacted negatively to them because of their weight," Merrill said.The study appears in the latest Journal of Advanced Nursing.
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