UK health minister, Anne Milton, has urged family doctors to tell overweight patients that they are fat rather than obese, in the hope that being labelled fat will better motivate them into doing something positive about their health.

Considering it of utmost importance that people take ‘personal responsibility’ for their own lifestyles, Milton’s view is that the pejorative word ‘fat’ will be harder hitting with patients than the term ‘obese, which is rooted in medical science.

Speaking from a personal standpoint, Milton, a former nurse herself, felt that too many health providers were wary of labelling people fat, but thinks it is necessary in triggering action. She commented, “At the end of the day, you cannot do it for them. People have to have the information.”

On behalf of the National Obesity Forum, Tam Fry, said, “We had this debate 18 months ago when the Department of Health said we should call people overweight,” and felt that the term obese was more likely to shock people into action.

In any case, the increasing proportion of fat, overweight or obese people is of growing concern. Not only is this affecting the current population, but even unborn babies are at risk. According to newly published pregnancy guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, saying that the health service was dealing with “an epidemic of obesity” amongst expectant mothers. The watchdog has advised women wishing to conceive to lose excess weight first and also not to eat for two whilst pregnant.

Posted by Phil on the 3rd August 2010