Stamp out weight stigma

Everyday we are told that we are 'getting even fatter' and we are shown images of people with overweight and obesity who are depicted as being lazy and eating unhealthy food. These words and images are not just unappealing and dehumanizing, but they also promote stigma. Such stigma can promote bullying, increase rates of depression and can also make it harder and less likely that people with overweight and obesity will seek medical help- for weight loss as well as for basic medical care.

Journalists and others who write about overweight and obesity have a role to play in reducing stigma and prejudice. Thankfully it is not too difficult to change the public dialogue so that it is no longer stigmatizing by simply following a few key guidelines:

Losing weight is not as simple as it sounds

Many people often assume that weight loss simply involves eating more healthily and doing more exercise- a simple equation of burning more calories than you consume. However, in reality it is far more complex. Many environmental factors such as a lack of access to affordable and health food, pressures of family and working life, a lack of funds for sporting activities as well as a constant bombardment of advertisements about cheap and affordable fast food, all make it much harder for people to eat more healthily and move more.

It is therefore important to consider the complexities of weight loss when writing on the topic of obesity. Step into other peoples shoes and think about the range of challenges that exist and what issues may be needed to overcome for those with overweight and obesity in order to lose weight in a healthy and sustainable way.

Focus on the facts

As stated above, weight and weight loss are complicated. Making people with overweight or obesity feel guilty or shameful about their bodies can make it even harder for them to lose weight. Basing articles on biased opinions is definitely not helpful. Instead, there are many research studies out there that provide journalists with scientific findings that can be used in articles instead. Such findings should be presented without unsupported opinions about people with overweight and obesity. By doing this, journalists will reduce the potential for stigma to emerge.

Avoid the use of dehumanizing images

Everyone deserves to have a face. When journalists publish images of people with obesity and overweight without showing their face, they are implying that the individual has something to be embarrassed about. Dehumanizing images also increase the negative stereotypes of people with overweight and obesity. Unfortunately, dehumanized images of people with overweight and obesity are in the news everyday- there is no avoiding them.

In order to reduce the use of stigmatizing images there are databases such as that created by the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity which has a stock of free images and videos depicting those with overweight and obesity engaging in activities, and these images can be used by the media as well as by researchers.

Words are powerful- choose well

The words used to describe people with overweight and obesity are often unconsidered by the media, with labels such as 'an obese person' or 'a group of fat people' being commonplace. Such labels forget that the individual being described is a person- and that they have feelings. Therefore it is important to put the individual at the heart of the article- not the condition.

It is also important to avoid the use of the word 'fat'. Although 'fat' is being used by activists who are promoting body acceptance, it is not a term that should be used by journalists when describing those with overweight and obesity. Fat is still seen as a derogatory term by many. A better approach to take it the use of scientific words and phrases. For example, instead of describing an individual as morbidly obese say 'an individual with class 3 obesity'.

Start as you mean to go on - headline

The headline may well be the last thing that is written but it is the first thing that readers see and often one of the main things to be remembered. As a result it is really important to carefully consider the headline because not only will it set the tone for the rest of the article, but it may also help to shape what the reader thinks about those with overweight and obesity. It is important to consider all of the above guidelines and avoid headlines that are embarrassing, equate overweight with failing, or are overly focused on the condition without considering the individual. A good approach to take is to avoid controversial or stigmatizing language and instead focus on scientific findings.

If these and other similar guidelines are taken on board by journalists it may be possible to reduce the stigma that surrounds overweight and obesity, and as such people with overweight and obesity may feel more able to seek medical help.