Adipositas erfahrbar machen? Eine Reflexion über den Einsatz von Adipositasanzügen in der Lehre

Zusammenfassung

Zahlreiche Studien belegen, dass insbesondere Medizinstudierende sowie Auszubildende in Gesundheitsberufen stigmatisierende Einstellungen gegenüber Menschen mit Adipositas aufweisen – obwohl sie im späteren Berufsalltag regelmäßig mit dieser Patient*innengruppe konfrontiert sein werden. Zur Prävention solcher Haltungen werden zunehmend Selbsterfahrungsübungen mit sogenannten Adipositasanzügen („Fat Suits“) in Curricula integriert. Diese sollen körperliche Einschränkungen erfahrbar machen, Empathie fördern und damit gewichtsstigmatisierende Einstellungen abbauen. Empirische Befunde zeigen, dass Simulationen unter bestimmten Bedingungen positive Effekte auf die Haltung gegenüber Menschen mit Behinderung oder Pflegebedarf haben können. Gleichzeitig weisen zahlreiche Autor*innen auf ethische und didaktische Risiken hin, etwa die Reduktion von Adipositas auf körperliche Dimensionen oder die Reproduktion stereotyper Bilder. Der Beitrag analysiert anhand aktueller Literatur Potenziale und Grenzen des Einsatzes von Adipositasanzügen in der medizinischen Ausbildung und benennt Bedingungen für eine ethisch reflektierte und didaktisch sinnvolle Implementierung.

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that medical students and trainees in health professions often hold stigmatizing attitudes toward people living with obesity–even though they will regularly encounter this patient group in their future professional practice. To prevent such biases, experiential learning activities using so-called obesity suits (“fat suits”) are increasingly being incorporated into training curricula. These exercises aim to simulate physical limitations, foster empathy, and thereby reduce weight-related stigma. Empirical findings suggest that, under certain conditions, simulation-based interventions can have positive effects on attitudes toward individuals with disabilities or care needs. At the same time, many scholars highlight ethical and pedagogical concerns–such as the reduction of obesity to physical dimensions or the reinforcement of stereotypical imagery. This paper analyzes the potential and limitations of using obesity suits in medical education based on current literature and outlines conditions for an ethically sound and didactically meaningful implementation.

Schlüsselwörter

Adipositasanzug - Ausbildung im Gesundheitswesen - Empathiebildung - Selbsterfahrungsübung

Keywords

obesity suit - Healthcare education - Empathy training - Experiential learning

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
02. Dezember 2025

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