Despite a mountain of evidence linking physical and mental health to social discrimination, the conversation about fat and health stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the possible influence of stigma in determining fat people’s health. Decreasing stress improves blood pressure and our reactions to stress can significantly increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other medical problems.50 Some heart attacks are the direct result of sudden emotional stress.51 And stress hormones, such as cortisol, can influence the endocrine system, which also manages blood sugar levels.
