It is coming September 22-26th, 2014…Weight Stigma Awareness week sponsored by The Binge Eating Disorder Association! According to the on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary stigma is defined as “a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something”.
Weight stigma is wide spread through our culture. It shows up as bullying, verbal assaults and exclusion to name a few. Weight prejeduce can arise in areas such as employment/occupation, education and health/mental health care.
Weight stigma often is internalized by individuals which can lead to shame, hopelessness, isolation, etc. Studies suggest that weight bias may actually INCREASE the likelihood of obesity, binge eating and staying obese. According to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, family members are one of the biggest sources of weight bias. In one study of over 2400 overweight and obese women, 62% of the study participants reported that on multiple occasions they had been stigmatized by their families because of their body weight.
Ways to Reduce Weight Stigma
1. Get educated on the complexities and causes of obesity. It is not as easy as calories in and calories out.
2. Understand that improving ones health can include a multitude of things, such as eating a nutrient dense foods and exercising, not just being thin.
3. Challenge bias attitudes. Speak-up. Don’t just let gossip or criticism about someone’s body weight go unchallenged.
4. Treat people of all sizes with fairness.
5. Support media sources such as magazines, TV programs, blogs, etc. that focus on size acceptance vs. fat bashing.
6. Take stock in your attitude about your own body.
7. If you are a parent and you think your child may be experiencing weight bias go to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. They have lots of good information about how to talk with your child about it.
The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) has lots of great on-line event during Weight Stigma Awareness week including featured bloggers, social media events and tool kits. To learn more click here.