Changing the global obesity narrative to recognize and reduce weight stigma: A position statement from the World Obesity Federation.
Sarah NutterLaura A EggerichsTaniya S NagpalXimena Ramos SalasChristine Chin CheaShubo SaifulJohanna RalstonOlivia Barata-CavalcantiClaudia BatzLouise A BaurSusie BirneySheree BryantKent BuseMichelle I CardelAastha ChughAda CuevasMychelle FarmerAllison IbrahimIshu KatariaCatherine KotzTed KyleSara le BrocqVicki MooneyClare MullenJoe NadglowskiMargot NeveuxKarin PapapietroJaynaide PowisRebecca M PuhlBernardo Rea RuanovaJessica F SaundersFatima Cody StanfordOgweno StephenKwang Wei ThamAgbo UrudinachiLesly Vejar-RenteriaDanielle WalwynJohn P H WildingSaifullah YusopPublished in: Obesity reviews : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity (2023)
Weight stigma, defined as pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes associated with higher body weight, is both a social determinant of health and a human rights issue. It is imperative to consider how weight stigma may be impeding health promotion efforts on a global scale. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) convened a global working group of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and individuals with lived experience of obesity to consider the ways that global obesity narratives may contribute to weight stigma. Specifically, the working group focused on how overall obesity narratives, food and physical activity narratives, and scientific and public-facing language may contribute to weight stigma. The impact of weight stigma across the lifespan was also considered. Taking a global perspective, nine recommendations resulted from this work for global health research and health promotion efforts that can help to reduce harmful obesity narratives, both inside and outside health contexts.
Keyphrases
- weight loss
- weight gain
- mental health
- physical activity
- insulin resistance
- health promotion
- metabolic syndrome
- body weight
- body mass index
- type diabetes
- high fat diet induced
- mental illness
- hiv aids
- healthcare
- social support
- public health
- endothelial cells
- primary care
- autism spectrum disorder
- emergency department
- young adults
- adipose tissue
- antiretroviral therapy
- human health
- human immunodeficiency virus
- social media