Addressing weight stigma: a timely call
Authors: Stuart William Flint
Journal: The Lancet Public Health (2019)

The Lancet Public Health Editorial1The Lancet Public HealthAddressing weight stigma.Lancet Public Health. 2019; 4: e168Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar highlighting the need to address weight stigma is both timely and warranted. As empirical evidence has demonstrated, similar to other health conditions, obesity is complex and has the same determinants (eg, genetic and environmental) as other health conditions such as cancer. However, framing and representations of obesity are simplistic, with an emphasis on blaming individuals and a consistent message that obesity is solely caused by eating too much and too little exercise and thus can easily and rapidly be reduced by moving more and eating less. This rhetoric, in addition to the pervasive stereotypes and misconceptions of obesity evident in obesity policy, campaigns, media, and education, has and continues to play an important role in the pervasiveness of weight stigma and discrimination that has been reported across the world. The impact of weight stigma and discrimination on health is not new, and neither is the evidence that demonstrates its prevalence across settings.2Flint SW Snook J Obesity discrimination in the workplace: implementation of recent EU laws.Curr Obes Rep. 2015; 4: 504-509Crossref PubMed Scopus (13) Google Scholar, 3Puhl R Suh Y Health consequences of weight stigma: implications for obesity prevention and treatment.Curr Obes Rep. 2015; 4: 182-190Crossref PubMed Scopus (263) Google Scholar Concerted efforts are needed to reduce and ultimately end weight stigma and discrimination. This is not a simple task. Stigmatising attitudes and beliefs are formed and maintained through consistent exposure to demeaning content that is not supported by published evidence and is derogatory towards people with obesity. To address weight stigma, improved education, rethinking of current practices, and collaborative efforts are crucial. Isolated actions are unlikely to make a difference. At all levels, change is needed—from the UK Government in societal messages and policy; the media, which often portrays information about obesity and associated treatment inaccurately; education, which at present is limited and does not reflect the complexity of obesity; and health care through equitable, supporting practices. An important point raised in the Editorial1The Lancet Public HealthAddressing weight stigma.Lancet Public Health. 2019; 4: e168Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (14) Google Scholar is that patients with obesity should be treated with the same consideration and compassion that is extended to other diseases, which is vital considering the impact experiencing weight stigma and discrimination can have—eg, avoidance of health care and development of maladaptive health behaviours. The UK National Health Service has three core principles, one of which is “that it meets the need of everyone”.4National Health ServicePrinciples and values that guide the NHS.https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/principles-and-values/Date accessed: April 17, 2019Google Scholar Thus, health-care environments should represent a safe space that is free of judgement, stigma, and discrimination, where patients, no matter their reason for attending, feel able to access health care, receive support and care if required, and speak openly with a trusted practitioner. I declare no competing interests. Addressing weight stigma2019 will be marked by a new Lancet initiative on nutrition . Nutrition is a vast subject that needs a multisectoral approach, hence throughout this year, it will be a special focus at The Lancet family of journals. It started with two excellent Commissions published in January—one on healthy diets and sustainable food systems and one on the global syndemic of obesity, which put obesity into a much wider context. An important aspect that has received very little attention is stigma. While obesity is now recognised as a worldwide public health issue, it can still too often be regarded by some as an individual responsibility resulting from poor choices and motivations. Full-Text PDF Open Access