According to a new survey, a large number of French people are uncomfortable with their weight, which has led 30% of them to lie to their loved ones about the numbers displayed on the scale.
- 30% of French people lie about their weight to those around them, according to a new survey.
- 85% of those surveyed think that obesity should be considered a disease.
- 35% of respondents think that doctors tend to take a critical look at people who are overweight or obese.
Investigation “The French’s relationship to weight” conducted by Livi and the Opinéa Institute, reveals that weight remains a taboo subject in France in 2024. Three out of 10 French people admitted to having already lied about their weight during this survey carried out between March 6 and 11.
Overweight: a third of respondents are not comfortable with their weight
While nearly a third of the 1,032 individuals surveyed have already lied about their weight, this trend is especially observed among young people and the fairer sex. In fact, 43% of 18 and 40 year olds and 39% of women admitted to not disclosing the correct figure. For comparison, only 21% of men questioned on this question admit to not having told the truth. The lies are mainly aimed at friends (16%) and family (14%).
Furthermore, 33% of French people revealed that they were not comfortable with their weight. People who are overweight according to the BMI formula (43% of this population), those suffering from obesity (73% of this population) and women are the most affected.
“In France, almost half of adults are affected by overweight, according to the BMI calculation. Obesity (which is not only defined by BMI) has increased from 8.5% of adults in 1997 to 17% in 2020. According to the WHO, by 2030, 30% of French people could be obese. Being overweight can have serious consequences on self-esteem, particularly depending on the beauty standards promoted by the media and even more so since the development of social networks where image and appearance are crucial issues”explains César Ancelle-Hansen, general practitioner and emergency physician, member of the Medical Department at Livi in a press release.
Obesity: a disease for 85% of French people
If the French have difficulty talking about their extra pounds, they are well aware that it is a health problem. One in two respondents consider it important to monitor their weight by weighing themselves at least once a week, all profiles combined. And the majority of them (85%) think that obesity should be considered a disease.
Obesity, recognized as a chronic pathology by the WHO since 1997, indeed affects health. It is linked to around twenty serious disorders: diabetes, hypertension, heart and respiratory problems, joint pain, etc.
“Although widely identified as a disease by the majority of the French population, obesity is still not officially recognized as a chronic condition in France and therefore does not always allow long-term management: a real obstacle access to patient care, particularly for the most disadvantaged”deplores Dr Ancelle-Hansen.
Concerning overweight, behavior is first blamed by the French: poor diet (77%) and lack of sports/sedentary lifestyle (61%) are the primary explanations for overweight according to those surveyed. Physiological and genetic causes with hormonal variations (41%) and heredity (36%) come next.
“In reality, overweight and obesity mainly result from the imbalance between calories consumed and those expended. Many other factors can contribute to the appearance and perpetuation of excess weight, such as low physical activity, stress , sleep disorders, taking toxins or certain drug treatments but also certain illnesses. In women, pregnancy and menopause can also cause weight gain. adds the expert.
Weight problem: distrust of general practitioners
To solve their weight-related problems, the French first think of nutrition specialists, whether they are nutritionists (66%) or dieticians (49%). The general practitioner is only mentioned in 3e position (30%). Where does this distrust of treating doctors regarding overweight and obesity come from? 35% of respondents think that they tend to take a critical look at patients who suffer from these disorders. This distrust is particularly present among women (40% of them) and younger people (43% of 18-40 year olds think so). This fear of stigma manifests itself in the patient-doctor relationship: more than one in five French people (21%) say they have already experienced difficulty talking to their doctor about their weight.
In addition, the study reveals that weight can be synonymous with difficulties in daily life. If health comes first among the difficulties cited (84%), the way others see them constitutes the other major problem for patients (75%). A view that can be hostile: 89% of respondents agree with the fact that being overweight or obese represents an increased risk of insults or harassment.
