Renaming obesity won’t fix weight stigma overnight. Here’s what we really need to do
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Renaming obesity won’t fix weight stigma overnight. Here’s what we really need to do
Ravisha Jayawickrama, Curtin University; Blake Lawrence, Curtin University, and Briony Hill, Monash University
The stigma that surrounds people living in larger bodies is pervasive and deeply affects the people it’s directed at. It’s been described as one of the last acceptable forms of discrimination.
Some researchers think the term “obesity” itself is part of the problem, and are calling for a name change to reduce stigma. They’re proposing “adipose-based chronic disease” instead.
We study the stigma that surrounds obesity – around the time of pregnancy, among health professionals and health students, and in public health more widely. Here’s what’s really needed to reduce weight stigma.
Weight stigma is common
Up to 42% of adults living in larger bodies experience weight stigma. This is when others have negative beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and judgements towards them, unfairly v...
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