BREAKING THE BIAS: Why Women Should Stop Blaming Themselves for Obesity

Debunking common myths and societal biases to uncover the true nature of obesity and why medical support is vital

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For many Canadian women, a weight management journey can be filled with challenges that extend far beyond diet and fitness trends. It's a battle against societal pressures, low self-worth and barriers to accessing essential care, thanks to long-held misconceptions surrounding obesity and weight.

Characterized by abnormal or excessive amounts of body fat, obesity is a complex, progressive and relapsing disease that can harm an individual's health and is linked to more than 200 chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, respiratory diseases, osteoarthritis, cancer and certain mental health conditions. It's not a "condition" or a "lifestyle choice."

Dr. Sasha High, a board-certified internal medicine and obesity physician, explains that obesity involves physiologic dysfunction in how the body regulates energy, appetite, hormones and even fat storage. This biological complexity means that for many, diet and exercise alone, although essential for overall health, are often not enough to treat this chronic disease.

The progressive nature of obesity means it tends to worsen over time. The body's adaptations after weight loss often favour weight regain, making it a relapsing disease. Essentially, your body actively fights to return to its previous highest weight, even after successful weight loss. This also classifies it as a chronic disease, requiring ongoing long-term management rather than a quick fix.