Pedestrians Walk Across The Street Near Times Square In New York
Pedestrians walk across the street near Times Square in New York August 28 2007. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

A new study has found the common perception that "fat shaming" helps people reduce weight is not true. Experts say "fat shaming" actually does the opposite. Even doctors who bully patients about their size would not be able to see a a positive result; rather, it causes a negative effect on them, resulting in the patient gaining more weight. By criticising overweight people and making them feel bad about themselves, they are not in any way motivated to lose weight.

A study was conducted by a team from University College London and published in the journal Obesity. Researchers conducted a research on about 3,000 adults in the UK and monitored them for four years. They found those who faced discrimination because they were obese gained 2 lbs in the span of that time, while those who did not face discrimination lost 1.5 lbs.

"Our study shows weight discrimination is part of the obesity problem and not the solution," said Prof Jane Wardle of the Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Centre at University College London.

They have found that when negative remarks and comments are made on obese individuals, they take to comfort food which makes them put on more weight. Researchers said that weight bias is not something that happens among the general public, "even doctors treat obese patients disrespectfully."

Wardle stated that doctors must stop blaming and shaming obese individuals and instead encourage them and support them to lose weight, even provide treatment where necessary.

UCL's Dr Sarah Jackson said that discriminating a person for being obese is not acceptable and is equal to discrimination of any other sort. It only leads to a lower confidence level and this stops them from taking part in any physical activity. Previously studies had found that "fat shaming" causes stress, and this can increase appetite for unhealthy and high-calorie foods.

She said that this is a major issue as fat people are more prone to heart diseases and other health problems such as type 2 diabetes and people must focus on tackling the problem and not fuel its growth. Obesity is a growing problem in the UK as well, the study stated.