Perception of overweight and obesity from different angles – a qualitative study

Background/Objectives: Prevalence rates of obesity are still rising in most countries. Aside from numerous negative consequences such as co-morbid diseases and a reduction in life expectancy due to excessive body weight and the economic impact of obesity on health care systems, overweight and obese individuals are also affected by perceived stigmatization and discrimination. Knowledge of common views and perceptions of overweight and obesity in the general public as well as in specific populations (e.g. health care professionals) is crucial in order to develop interventions to reduce stigma. This qualitative stu…