The commonly held perception of obesity as a personal failing on the part of the patient is outdated and unhelpful, said Janine V. Kyrillos, MD, FACP, of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
The commonly held perception of obesity as a personal failing on the part of the patient is outdated and unhelpful, said Janine V. Kyrillos, MD, FACP, of Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals and the Sidney Kimmel Medical College.
Transcript (slightly modified)
Obesity is slowly being recognized as a chronic disease. How has this decision been accepted by patients and physicians?
In my own experience with my peers and with my patients, people still aren’t buying it. There’s still a big obesity bias, the thought that patients need to do this on their own, that it’s a lifestyle flaw. And granted, there’s personal responsibility, but all chronic diseases have personal responsibility. So it’s coming along very, very slowly—more slowly than I would have hoped.
What are the misconceptions about obesity that are the hardest to overcome?
That it’s all personal responsibility. That it’s a character flaw, that it’s a moral failing. Just quit eating. It’s so much more than that. There’s so many factors involved: genetics, and environment, and we’re learning about epigenetics which is a whole new concept. The preservatives in our food. A really cool study a few years ago where the … lab rats who are fed the same amount of chow and given the same amount of exercise are fatter than they were thirty years ago, so what has changed? It’s really fascinating so much of this is not understood and we can’t keep blaming the patient. Because first the shame and blame … does not empower them. And second, it doesn’t help them.
Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity: Urban Health Outreach
May 9th 2024In the series debut episode of "Frameworks for Advancing Health Equity," Mary Sligh, CRNP, and Chelsea Chappars, of Allegheny Health Network, explain how the Urban Health Outreach program aims to improve health equity for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Listen
Tackling Health Inequality: The Power of Education and Experience
April 30th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our final episode of this limited series and our conversation with Janine Jelks-Seale, MSPPM, director of health equity at UPMC Health Plan.
Listen
Joanne Mizell: Lifestyle Modification Programs Take Holistic Aim at Metabolic Disease
May 1st 2024Joanne Mizell shares insurer strategies in addressing the escalating rates of metabolic diseases, highlighting the importance of holistic treatment methods like lifestyle modification programs, which integrate nutrition, physical activity, and community engagement.
Read More