Have you ever gone to your GP to find out why you\u2019re always tired, only to be told to lose weight?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or perhaps you\u2019ve joined a gym hoping to move more, only to be bombarded with messages about \u201cburning fat\u201d and achieving the \u201cideal body\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These experiences reflect a common approach to health promotion that treats weight loss as the primary pathway to better health. But decades of research shows that focusing on weight worsens weight stigma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weight stigma refers to negative attitudes or behaviours towards larger-bodied people based on their weight. It includes unfair assumptions that larger-bodied people are lazy, unintelligent or lack willpower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These attitudes are so common that treating larger-bodied people badly is often considered \u201csocially acceptable\u201d. We even see this play out on popular TV shows like Parks and Recreation and The Office. Larger-bodied characters are often the target of cruel \u201cjokes\u201d for comic relief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weight stigma can affect many areas of daily life. Larger-bodied people may avoid playing sport, visiting the doctor, or dating because of concerns about how they will be treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weight stigma has also been linked to health and wellbeing concerns, such as increased disordered eating, suicidal ideation and stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of this, researchers and advocates have called for approaches to health promotion that support health without focusing on weight loss. Our new research shows how this can be done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health promotion aims to create the conditions that make it possible for people to control and improve their health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key commitment of health promotion is making sure everyone has a fair chance to improve their health and wellbeing. This means addressing the broader factors that shape health and wellbeing like income, housing, education, transport and access to health care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Improving financial security, for example, can make it easier for people to afford nutritious food and stable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Health promotion that focuses on weight loss has been criticised for not aligning with these goals. Encouraging weight loss and lifestyle changes to improve health promotes the idea that improving public health is primarily a personal responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our new research explores an alternative approach that addresses these concerns: size-inclusive health promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n