Weight bias: A call to action
Date
2016-11-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer Nature
Abstract
Weight-related issues (including excess weight, disordered eating and body concerns) are often considered as
comprising distinct domains of ‘obesity’ and ‘eating disorders’. In this commentary we argue that the concept of
weight bias is an important variable when considering wellbeing across the spectrum of weight-related issues. We
make the following six points in support of this argument: i) weight bias is common and has adverse health
consequences, ii) shaming individuals for their body weight does not motivate positive behaviour change, iii)
internalized weight bias is particularly problematic, iv) public health interventions, if not carefully thought out, can
perpetuate weight bias, v) weight bias is a manifestation of social inequity, and vi) action on weight bias requires
an upstream, population-level approach. To achieve sustainable reductions in weight bias at a population level,
substantive modifications and collaborative efforts in multiple settings must be initiated. We provide several
examples of population-level interventions to reduce weight bias.
Description
Keywords
weight stigma, weight prejudice, overweight, eating behaviours
Citation
Alberga, A.S., Russell-Mayhew, S., von Ranson, K.M. et al. Weight bias: a call to action. J Eat Disord 4, 34 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-016-0112-4