New research highlights that reducing weight stigma plays a crucial role in enhancing mental health and encouraging healthier behaviors following weight-loss surgery, more so than the actual weight loss itself.
The study found that patients who underwent weight-loss surgery generally faced less weight stigma afterward. This decrease in stigma—not just a lower body mass index (BMI)—was linked to improved eating habits and better mental health outcomes.
Conversely, those who continued to experience weight stigma post-surgery showed higher risks of depression, anxiety, and unhealthy eating patterns.
“Health challenges for patients with obesity are often assumed to be inevitable. However, our findings suggest that the ongoing stigma and discrimination these individuals face significantly contribute to many physical and mental health issues,” said Larissa McGarrity, PhD, a clinical psychologist at University of Utah Health and the study’s lead author.
This research underscores the importance of focusing on reducing weight stigma to support the mental well-being and overall recovery of patients after weight-loss surgery.
