A new study has revealed that millions of Brits are battling with feelings of shame over their weight. The research, conducted by online healthcare provider ZAVA, found that nearly half of the UK population admit to feeling embarrassed about their size.
The study also highlighted that women are more likely than men to feel this way, with over 10% more women reporting feelings of shame about their body weight. The research showed negative feelings about weight also impacted social lives, relationships and even job prospects, extending beyond personal feelings.
A third of those surveyed confessed to avoiding social events due to concerns about their size, while 16% admitted to postponing or cancelling significant events because they hadn’t reached a target weight. Shockingly, 14% of participants believe their weight has negatively affected their chances of securing a job.
The research also highlighted the hurdles many face when starting a weight loss journey, with emotional eating and lack of motivation listed as the main obstacles. Even those who have successfully lost weight struggle to maintain their results. Of those who managed to shed pounds in the past year, 41% confessed to regaining some or all of it.
Dr. Crystal Wyllie, a leading clinician at ZAVA, pointed out that emotional states, hormonal changes, or even boredom can often trigger food cravings, making it harder to stick to a plan. She said: “Whether triggered by your feelings, hormones or simply boredom, you can gain more control over your eating habits by understanding your cravings.
