Question explored with the scientific record
Conversation so far
- 1 Is long term paracetamol effective for arthritis knee pain + a private exchange
- 2 Whats womac + a private exchange
- 3 This is somewhat dismissive of pain -that because pain is subjective, it is not as important as structural changes. In terms of quality of life, that's inadequate. Tell me about research into arthritic pain esp impact on older women + a private exchange
- 4 Tell me more about the education and exercise programme. What was the education and which exercises + a private exchange
- 5 Has anyone researched the impact of stigma, discrimination and shame on obesity and bed, especially in women
- 6 Can I continue this conversation on a different device
Answered on this page ↓
Can I continue this conversation on a different device
The short version: the research on stigma, shame, and discrimination in obesity and BED is extensive and shows that stigma is a causal driver of worsening health and binge eating, not a side effect, with particularly sharp effects for women.
The evidence shows a clear pattern: weight stigma does not just add social pain, it changes biology and behavior. A 2010 study of severely obese women found younger women reported more discrimination, while older women focused on health consequences of their weight [2]. A 2025 study of 313 midlife and older women with food insecurity found those who also had binge eating reported the highest levels of internalized weight stigma, body shame, anxiety, and depression, even after controlling for how severe their food insecurity was [4]. The binge eating added a layer of psychosocial burden on top of the stigma.
A 2020 study of 166 Asian American adults with overweight or obesity found that experienced weight stigma predicted binge eating independently of racism, general stress, and demographic factors [5]. The stigma drove binge eating even when other sources of stress were accounted for. And a 2011 study of nearly 1,900 US adults across 10 years found that perceived weight discrimination predicted worsening health and disability, and that effect ran partly through how people came to see themselves as overweight — discrimination changed self-perception, which then harmed health [1].
The professionals are not immune. A 2003 study found that obesity specialists show significant implicit anti-fat bias on measures of lazy versus motivated, good versus bad, and smart versus stupid [3]. The people you turn to for help may hold the same stereotypes.
| Study | Population | Key finding |
|---|---|---|
| [1] 2011 | 1,856 US adults, 10-year follow-up | Weight discrimination predicts worsening health, partly through changed self-perception |
| [2] 2010 | Severely obese women before and after gastric banding | Younger women report more discrimination; older women focus on health |
| [3] 2003 | Obesity specialists | Significant implicit anti-fat bias |
| [4] 2025 | 313 midlife/older women with food insecurity | Binge eating adds anxiety, depression, stigma, and body shame beyond food insecurity alone |
| [5] 2020 | 166 Asian American adults with overweight/obesity | Weight stigma predicts binge eating independently of racism and stress |
My call: the evidence here is consistent and strong — stigma, shame, and discrimination are a primary driver of both worsened health and binge eating, with particularly sharp effects for women.
Sources used 5
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Transdermal buprenorphine plus oral paracetamol vs an oral codeine-paracetamol combination for osteoarthritis of hip and/or knee: a randomised trial
This study compares the efficacy of transdermal buprenorphine patches plus oral paracetamol against an oral codeine-paracetamol combination in providing pain relief for older adults with osteoarthritis of the hip and/or knee, finding that both treatments significantly reduce pai…
DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2011.03.011 -
A randomised controlled trial of ibuprofen, paracetamol or a combination tablet of ibuprofen/paracetamol in community-derived people with knee pain
This study compares the efficacy and safety of single versus combination non-prescription oral analgesics in community-derived individuals aged 40 years and older with chronic knee pain, finding that ibuprofen/paracetamol combinations provide modest short-term benefits but may a…
DOI: 10.1136/ard.2011.154047 -
A double-blind, parallel study of tenoxicam and piroxicam in patients with osteoarthrosis
In a double-blind, randomized trial of 30 adults with osteoarthrosis, tenoxicam and piroxicam (40 mg/day) were compared over 4 weeks; both improved general pain with tenoxicam showing greater early improvement and higher continued use, though gastrointestinal adverse effects wer…
DOI: 10.1185/03007998509109630 -
EFFECT OF PHYSICAL THERAPY ON WOMAC SCORES AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS
A prospective before-after study of 27 knee osteoarthritis outpatients showing that a 3-week physical therapy program (heat, ultrasound, and quadriceps exercises) significantly improved pain, function (WOMAC), and quality of life (SF-36) compared with baseline.
DOI: 10.1142/S0218957706001662 -
Comparing the effects of dextrose prolotherapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy on dynamic balance in knee osteoarthritis patients
Dynamic balance improved after both dextrose prolotherapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy in knee osteoarthritis, with comparable efficacy between the two treatments.
DOI: 10.51559/ptji.v6i1.251