Stigma perceived by overweight women

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the experience of discrimination perceived by overweight women. Methods: a qualitative research conducted at an outpatient clinic in Salvador, Bahia, where eleven women were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and submitted to thematic content analysis. Results: the analysis of the statements expressed three categories: Suffering discrimination in different social contexts: denounced disrespect, hostility, veiled and/or explicit exclusion, prejudice, injustice and insults lived in public transport, at work, in the family environment, in social events and commercial establishments; Experiencing negative feelings about discrimination: revealed inferiority, sadness, shame, fear, anger, frustration, low esteem and discouragement faced by women; Reacting to discrimination: expressed isolation of marital intimacy and social encounters, removal from work, concealment of body and feelings and even illness of women. Final considerations: the discrimination experienced in various settings has caused suffering, embarrassment, negative feelings, shame, isolation and loss in women’s lives.