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world obesity day 2025: how do you escape the stigma of obesity?
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to mark world obesity day on march 4, 2025, pharmaceutical company novo nordisk invited patient advocacy groups, nursing and medical students and medical residents, and media to a unique escape room in toronto.
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i’ve never been overweight or obese, or particularly tall at 5’3”. so, walking into an escape room set designed to quiz participants on the real-world experiences of stigma and weight discrimination was a big step out of my comfort zone. i’ve never had to squirm and deal with teasing as a kid with extra weight or feel the loneliness of not fitting in based on size and shape. and i’ve never been at a house party as a larger person who had to smile along with the crowd at fat jokes that were circulating just because people think they’re funny.
where’s the empathy in the way people treat each other without a second thought?
to mark world obesity day on march 4, 2025, pharmaceutical company novo nordisk invited patient advocacy groups, nursing and medical students and medical residents, and media to a unique escape room in toronto. the aim is to stop the stigma around obesity and recognize it as a complex chronic disease so that next-generation healthcare professionals will offer patients evidence-based treatment and non-judgmental support.
navigating care for obesity can leave you feeling stuck
“stigma and weight discrimination are added burdens to an individual’s health and can be a barrier to weight management,” reads the takeaway card at the event. that came through loud and clear in the escape room’s series of puzzles—along with that sense of bewilderment that i get when i’m stuck. people in larger bodies might feel just as boxed-in (like a locked escape room) by labels and misperceptions about their weight.
i’m not going to give everything away here (as escape room designers rely on the element of surprise and novelty), but this was a challenging and clever set with an open-concept kitchen and living room that had a locked door to another space. my team of three, with representatives from obesity matters and fatty liver alliance, went into the first room with measured enthusiasm. i came out with a deeper appreciation of what it’s really like to live with obesity and its impact on all aspects of life. the game touched on the big themes of assumptions around food, exercise, detox tea and well-meaning family and friends. we had someone on the outside to offer hints through a two-way radio (without him, i would have felt frustrated and anxious as the minutes ticked by). but for people in larger bodies going it alone, trying to navigate care and do the best they can for their health, that has got to be tough, chipping away at self-esteem.
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first, i looked at the grocery list on the fridge. fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and eggs. if that’s all you’re eating, that’s do-able for a day or two, but then sends your body into starvation mode to lower metabolism and conserve fat for fuel. restrictive diets don’t work and any weight loss usually piles back on. still, have you caught yourself looking at what’s in someone’s grocery cart if the person is carrying excess weight? or stared at someone with obesity when they’re enjoying pastries at a coffee shop? i’m catching myself, wondering if i do this automatically with my ‘inside thoughts’ instead of acknowledging that obesity is a disease that happens because of genetics, environment (all that packaged and fast food that is everywhere), socioeconomics, chronic stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyle, etc.
people do not choose obesity and the health problems that often come with it, like diabetes and heart disease. it’s not their fault and there’s no place for shame and blame.
a look at the escape room used for the escape the stigma event presented by novo nordisk.
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weight bias: the people closest to us hurt us the most
what else struck me as crushingly sad were the well-intentioned gifts from friends. when we got one of the locked kitchen drawers open, there were cards for valentine’s, birthday greetings and more, where those closest to the person with obesity wanted to do something supportive. there were gifts like a recipe book, a weight-loss journal and sugar-free chocolate. sure, these appear to be thoughtful, but the underlying message is ‘hey, you need to lose weight so this should help.’ does that actually help in any way or make someone feel loved and appreciated?
the old line of thinking that “eat less and exercise more” solves obesity doesn’t solve anything. and yet, those living in larger bodies can’t escape that messaging. there’s a significant psychological component to health that needs to be addressed and considered. as research bears out, people with obesity are at higher risk for mood disorders, anxiety and body image dissatisfaction.
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messaging reinforces societal pressure around obesity
there was a tv in the living room of the game that came on at a certain point, blaring alarm about rising obesity, flashing footage of larger people eating hamburgers. one of the “read-me” cards that were included in the puzzles noted that, “over 82 per cent of people agree that media portrayals of body image contribute to societal pressure and stigma around obesity.” yes, we all have to do better.
what got us out of the first room into the final room was making an appointment with a healthcare provider, revealing how difficult it is for people to feel motivated to meet with a professional and risk the weight bias that might surface. the space was a clinic examination room where we just had to figure out a critical message.
as a prompt, the poster on the wall with a friendly-looking medical professional had the following: “people living with obesity who haven’t engaged professional support say that effective communication and consistent support from their care providers would increase their likelihood of working with them on a treatment plan.”
if there’s a way to offer people living with obesity support and understanding, let’s work to make it happen.
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