The purpose of this study was to explore the stigma of obesity and its effect on health care utilization. The associations between self-esteem, attribution for weight, body mass index (BMI), satisfaction with medical care and the behavior of delaying/avoiding health care were examined. King\u27s Interacting Systems Framework provided the conceptual framework for this study. Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 216 women recruited from church sites in a southwest city; Correlations, multiple regressions, and analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. An increase in BMI is associated with an increase in delay/avoidance of health care. Weight-related and non-weight-related reasons, including a lack of confidence in the health care provider, were cited as deterrents to seeking health care; Healthy People 2000 includes goals to reduce obesity-related morbidity and mortality. Providing supportive and holistic health care to obese clients reduces the stigma of obesity, promotes continuity of care and assists progression toward these goals
