Project
Stigma towards Bariatric Surgery: Prevalence and impact in the Netherlands, France, and England
Bariatric surgery is an increasing used method to battle obesity and obesity related comorbidities. However, like obesity, bariatric surgery is highly stigmatized with patients being viewed as lazy, cheaters, and taking the easy way out. Negative attitudes towards bariatric surgery may discourage people with obesity from considering the surgery or impact well-being and everyday life post-surgery.
Project aims
This study explores the perceptions, experiences, and consequences of the stigma surrounding bariatric surgery from the perspective of people with obesity who are considering or awaiting surgery, post bariatric surgery patients, the general public and healthcare professionals. The study also explores the extent to which bariatric surgery stigma is culture-dependent by comparing three European countries, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom. Despite these countries being geographically and socioeconomically close, their views towards and approaches to tackle obesity differ significantly.
The objectives of the project are:
1. To determine the current knowledge on stigma towards bariatric surgery and its consequences from the perspective of bariatric surgery patients and identify possible knowledge gaps.
2. To determine the prevalence and nature of of bariatric surgery stigma in the general population and among healthcare professionals.
3. To explore stigma as a barrier for access and utilization of pre- and post bariatric surgery patients.
4. To explore the experiences and consequences of bariatric surgery stigma from the perspective of bariatric surgery patients.
5. To asses to what extent bariatric surgery stigma is culture dependent by comparing the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom.
The project uses a convergent mixed-methods research design to collect, analyses and interpret the data.