Fat By Any Other Name

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’ Anne Milton, England’s Public Health Minister seems to think calling fat by any other name makes it lose its impact. Milton is suggesting that doctors in the UK stop using the word ‘obese’ and just tell patients they’re fat in hopes that it will increase personal responsibility.

The word ‘obesity’ does have more of a medical ring to it, while ‘fat’ sounds harsher and cruder. But can a word really be the difference between letting weight go and taking control? While the impact of word choice is up for debate, weight loss advice from doctors is important. Sadly, the 2009 National Healthcare Disparities Report (PDF) shows that many US patients never hear about weight from their doctor.

Personally — while it wouldn’t be fun to have a doctor call me fat — I don’t have any issue with calling a spade a spade. There’s something to be said for being honest and forthright. But I think we’d be better off encouraging doctors to talk to patients about healthy lifestyle habits in any way they see fit, without encouraging name-calling.