Positioning of Weight Bias: Moving towards Social Justice
Date
2016-09-22
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Abstract
Weight bias is a form of stigma with detrimental effects on the health and wellness of individuals with large bodies. Researchers
from various disciplines have recognized weight bias as an important topic for public health and for professional practice. To
date, researchers from various areas have approached weight bias from independent perspectives and from differing theoretical
orientations. In this paper, we examined the similarities and differences between three perspectives (i.e., weight-centric, nonweight-
centric (health-centric), and health at every size) used to understand weight bias and approach weight bias research with
regard to (a) language about people with large bodies, (b) theoretical position, (c) identified consequences of weight bias, and
(d) identified influences on weight-based social inequity. We suggest that, despite differences, each perspective acknowledges the
negative influences that position weight as being within individual control and the negative consequences of weight bias.We call for
recognition and discussion ofweight bias as a social justice issue in order to change the discourse and professional practices extended
towards individuals with large bodies. We advocate for an emphasis on social justice as a uniting framework for interdisciplinary
research on weight bias.
Description
Nutter, S., Russell-Mayhew, S., Alberga, A., Arthur, N., Kassan, A., Lund, D., Sesma Vazquez, M., & Williams, E. (2016). Positioning of weight bias: Moving towards social justice. Journal of Obesity, Article 3753650, 1-10.
Keywords
weight bias, weight stigma, social justice
Citation
Nutter, Sarah, Russell-Mayhew, Shelly, Alberga, Angela S., Arthur, Nancy, Kassan, Anusha, Lund, Darren E., Sesma-Vazquez, Monica, Williams, Emily, Positioning of Weight Bias: Moving towards Social Justice, Journal of Obesity, 2016, 3753650, 10 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/3753650