A combination to better understand the needs of people with obesity

To better perceive the effects of obesity and understand the needs of overweight patients, the healthcare teams at the 7-Collines Mutual Medical Center in Saint-Etienne were asked to wear an obesity simulation suit. This costume is made up of weights and a foam suit simulating the corpulence of a 250 kg individual.

Wearing this device, the teams were able to become aware of the daily difficulties encountered by patients suffering from obesity, particularly in terms of loss of mobility, and thus experience the limits of the obese body.

All efforts require more energy, so we are very hot. In terms of mobility too, it is true that with the volume it is difficult for certain movements.

Pierre Graud

physiotherapy student

Through this awareness session for healthcare staff, the Medical Center wishes to improve the care and support of obese patients.

These patients often have comorbidities and suffer from diabetes or blood pressure. But the most difficult thing for them to live with is the gaze of others.

The gaze of others is often the most difficult because we often feel the judgment in the gaze.

Myriam Chevalier Bonnour

patient

The care team wants to adapt its practices to this specific public. More than 300 patients follow a multidisciplinary care pathway: surgery, culinary workshops and psychological care. The 7-Collines medical center will soon open a center dedicated to obesity.