Vivências de estigmatização e gordofobia na saúde

Abstract

In this master's thesis, manuscripts consisting of an integrative literature review on the influences of fatphobia in the relationship between health professionals and patients, and a critical essay that proposes a reflective analysis of the "Dietland" series relating it to the themes of aesthetic pressure, fatphobia, gender and mental health. In the first manuscript entitled “Stigma and weight bias in access to health: the health professional-patient relationship”, one can observe the prevalence of studies that investigated the presence/absence of stigma and weight bias between health professionals and patients ; the stigmatization in the conduct of these professionals is noted; also, the relevance of the language used by health professionals in relation to fat people and the perception of these people about health professionals is evidenced. Thus, different nuances of stigmatization and fatphobia were found in the relationship between health professionals and patients. In the second manuscript, entitled “Experiences of gordophobia: critical essay on the 'Dietland' series”, the current cultural, historical and social context is pointed out as responsible for imposing aesthetic standards and limitations mainly on women, with the media having a significant role by imposing beauty standards and promoting fatphobia, which result in discrimination, violence, mental health issues, among others. This essay also highlights the importance of fighting fatphobia in order to promote mental health and the inclusion of different bodies. In this way, the manuscripts address the need for health professionals to be more prepared in relation to the complexities of fatphobia, in order to avoid the reproduction of stigmas that are harmful in the health care of fat people; as well as, it is necessary to face the cultural, historical and social oppressions that maintain the fatphobic social structure, for this it is necessary a collective effort in the sense of confronting and combating this exclusionary structure.