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The Way We Think About “Obesity” and Body Weight Is Changing, Here’s Why
Sep
From doctor’s offices to family gatherings, larger people report being bombarded unsolicited advice about their eating and exercise habits. The underlying message? “They just need to lose weight” to solve almost any health problem.
Society’s focus on weight has shaped the way most Australians view health and body weight, which often pushes them towards unhealthy thoughts and behaviors in pursuit of the “perfect” figure.
However, the way society views obesity and body weight is changing, and these changes are being confirmed by science.
*A historical consideration of the word “obesity” reveals its derogatory origins, advocates suggesting that the term ob*sity should be used with an asterisk to acknowledge this. To show respect, we will adopt that language here.
Policymakers and health researchers are increasingly recognizing the harmful effects stigmatizing language and attitude towards people with a larger physique.
Let’s look at how attitudes towards obesity have changed over the years and what this means for public health and healthcare in Australia.
From Personal Responsibility to Convoluted Chronic Illness
Until recently, weight control was it is usually considered a personal responsibilityObesity was believed to be the result of destitute diet and lack of physical activity, coupled with personal and moral failure.
This narrative was reflected in public health policy, which used phrases such as “he was obese“and the “epidemic of o*c*lness”. It has been shown that such language reinforce negative stereotypes people with larger builds as “idle” and lacking willpower.
These stereotypes lead to stigmatization and weight discrimination, which is still common today. Healthcare professionals such as dietitians report that Weight stigma (from other people and internally) is a common and ongoing challenge that women have to deal with throughout their careers.
The narrative around personal responsibility has changed in recent years as it begins to consider broader determinants of health. Research has identified a range of psychological, social, biological and systemic factors contribute to rising rates of obesity, such as socioeconomic status, genetics, medications and environment.
As a result, public health experts believe that is no longer appropriate utilize language that refers to obesity as a “lifestyle” issue.
World Obesity Federation
Professionals all over medicine, psychology and dietetics they also responded by updating their language standards to prioritize person-first language (for example, “person living with o*b*lihood”), recognizing a shift away from viewing o*b*lihood as a personal failure.
In 2014, the American Medical Association of the United States classified obesity as a chronic diseasecontrary to the recommendations of the Science and Public Health Committee. The decision has sparked widespread dissatisfaction and debate, with claims that it causes unnecessary discrimination and pathologizes normal changes in the human body over time.
The debate continues here in Australiabut no classification has yet been made.
Weight-focused and weight-sensitive narratives
Recent policy documents in Australia such as National Anti-Obesity Strategy 2022–2032acknowledge the broader perspective of o*b*st. But the policy and practice in Australia remain mainly focused on weight. They encourage weight loss as a health goal and recommend deliberately avoiding weight gain.
Weight-Focused Approaches to Health They were criticized for the lack of long-term (longer than five years) evidence of their effectiveness and for causing unintended effects.
Rather than promoting health, weight-focused approaches can cause harm, such as increased weight stigma and weight cycling (repeated weight loss and regain). Both weight mark AND weight cycles are associated with negative long-term effects on physical and mental health.
Weight-sensitive approaches to health are gaining popularity as an alternative approach that supports people to eat healthily and exercise regularly, regardless of their desire to lose weight. This approach aims to improve access to health care and has been shown to improve overall physical and mental health.
Approaches such as Health at every size and intuitive eating are key examples of promoting health and wellness without focusing on weight.
Weight-sensitive approaches have he was met with criticismHowever, there are concerns that these approaches are not supported by empirical evidence and may not be suitable for people needing support with weight management.
What does this mean for us?
While our views on obesity are constantly changing, it is essential to listen to plus-size people and ensure they have equal, secure and satisfactory access to healthcare.
Advocates like Size Inclusive Health Australia recommending actions to reduce weight-related stigma and discrimination so that health is inclusive of all body shapes and sizes.
There are guidelines and recommendations on how to counter weight stigma and adopt a weight-sensitive approach to health, such as: Size-sensitive health promotion guidelines and Eating Disorder Safety Guidelines.
Policy, research and practice should continue to synthesise and understand the evidence surrounding weight-sensitive approaches, in line with changing narratives around weight and health. This will support the design, implementation and evaluation of weight-sensitive initiatives in Australia.
