INTERVIEW – The training of general practitioners has evolved towards more benevolence towards obese people. But grossophobia remains a problem.
When the consultation becomes a source of anxiety… One in six French people suffers from obesity. For this not insignificant part of the population, the course of care often resembles an obstacle course. Guilty remarks, incessant return to overweight, moralizing gaze … Overweight people have created a term to describe the phenomenon: grossophobia. The behaviors are diverse and varied but one point brings them together: overweight patients have the feeling of lacking kindness.
Patient associations, forums and social networks have freed the floor and raised awareness of the scale of the phenomenon. Awareness actions towards caregivers are increasing in order to offer a more serene approach to overweight people. With what impact on practice? On the occasion of European Obesity Day, May 19, Why actor update with Dr Eve Villemur. General practitioner in Saint-Sulpice (Tarn), she specializes in behavioral nutrition.
Is grossophobia a widespread problem?
Dr Eve Villemur : It is widespread among the general population. It must therefore exist in the medical profession, which is a shame. Poorly trained doctors continue to think “we must, there is only” … without realizing the suffering of the overweight patient who always did what he could. The responsibility of the general practitioner is to give him the means to do better.
Dr Eve Villemur, general practitioner specializing in obesity:
Has the training of doctors improved?
Dr Eve Villemur : She improved in medical studies. However, the general practitioners currently installed are very poorly trained. They continue to have mixed messages, to think that it is time consuming to talk about overweight with patients. Obesity remains a problem in medical practices: it is not taken care of.
Should you always talk about your obesity to someone who suffers from it?
Dr Eve Villemur : The stage in which the patient is located must be respected. He may very well be obese and in denial. We must then walk on eggshells, so as not to create resistance. But I think any opportunity to make the connection with the pathology should be seized. We can get the patient to think about it when he has knee pain, repeated yeast infection or blood pressure problems. But I’m not talking about obesity, which is a bad word, but overweight and suffering. I tend to focus more on the embarrassment of being overweight than on giving a label.
Are there any approaches to particularly avoid?
Dr Eve Villemur: It is good practice to provide support that relies on a tripod. These three feet are the plate – to be balanced -, the head – to soothe while stimulating motivation – and the body. It will be necessary to put it back in motion but also to come to terms with its image. Bad practices would therefore consist of sticking to only one pole. Second, it would be catastrophic to force things on a patient. This is especially true in learning a better relationship to food. The patient must choose what suits him, with a guide. He must become an actor of his health. Finally, making him feel guilty when he has not succeeded is not a good idea.
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