Background: Obesity is a complex, individualized, and often stigmatizing experience. Including consumer voices in policy, programs, and research has been established as essential for generating positive health outcomes. However, limited research has been conducted in a co-designed manner where consumers directly voice their experiences to improve obesity-related healthcare.
Objective: This study explores the real-world experiences of living with obesity, as described by consumer experts, to identify key areas for healthcare improvement.
Method: Twenty-four self-identified obesity lived experience experts participated in semi-structured interviews, guided by a self-designed image or hand-drawn picture representing their experience.
Design: A photovoice qualitative study co-designed with obesity lived experience experts and obesity health researchers. Interviews followed photovoice methodology and were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis.
Results: Three overarching themes emerged: (1) regular dehumanizing experiences; (2) the need for holistic obesity healthcare; and (3) raising awareness about the complexities of living with obesity. Participants described pervasive obesity discrimination across daily life, contributing to internalized stigma and, in severe cases, dehumanization. Obesity was characterized as interconnected and complex, requiring a holistic, person-centred healthcare approach for better outcomes. Participants advocated for public, tertiary, and healthcare education to highlight the difficulties of living with obesity and challenge the harmful nature of obesity stigma.
Conclusion: Stigma’s harmful impact was central to participants' experiences, demonstrating how systemic, interpersonal, and internalized biases contribute to further health complications. These findings align with international literature but highlight the under-recognized severity of obesity stigma as a major barrier to improving health outcomes. Future research should focus on developing co-designed obesity education initiatives for public, tertiary, and healthcare sectors to raise awareness and reduce stigma for individuals living with obesity.