Obesity is classified in the international classification of diseases in the field of endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disease (E66). It does not apply as a medical illness or mental disorder, but a risk factor for subsequent diseases. The quality of life of obese people is affected not only by the increased weight and resulting ailments, but also due to the fact that they are to stigma and social exclusion because of their weight.

A study by the University of Leipzig revealed that obese people are stigmatized as lazy, weak-willed, undisciplined and repulsive. They eat too much and too unhealthy and only have to pull themselves together. They bear the responsibility for their obesity and could lose weight really wanted to. The stigmatization of obese people causes affected people to devalue themselves because of the excess weight.

In everyday life, obese people feel especially discriminated by inappropriate remarks and accusing glances. Those affected explain:

 "I was a bank clerk. And whenever I ate I could feel the eyes of colleagues on my back." (see here)

“I still receive many looks and a lot of stupid comments that only leave the house in really important cases. My neighbor usually buys groceries for me and every time I need to do it myself I am full of anxiety. I order clothes from catalogues; I don’t have much money to buy clothes. Except from that I don’t have to leave my house often and when I have to do it, I am not happy about it.” (see here)