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Review
. 2018 Jun;7(2):186-192.
doi: 10.1007/s13679-018-0304-0.

Media and Its Influence on Obesity

Fatima Cody Stanford  1   2   3 , Zujaja Tauqeer  1 , Theodore K Kyle  4
Affiliations
Review

Media and Its Influence on Obesity

Fatima Cody Stanford et al. Curr Obes Rep. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review how the media frames obesity and the effect it has upon on public perceptions.

Recent findings: The scientific and public health understanding of obesity increasingly points away from individual behaviors and toward medical and community factors, but diffusion of this knowledge is slow. Growing awareness of the importance of body positivity is driving attention to the harms of weight bias and fat shaming. Health science reporting related to obesity, nutrition, and physical activity tends to perpetuate myths and misunderstandings. Moving forward, greater attention to accurate messages about obesity and evidence-based interventions will be essential for progress to reduce suffering and the impact on public health from this chronic disease.

Keywords: Health policy; Media; Obesity; Weight bias; Weight stigma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Fatima Cody Stanford and Zujaja Tauqeer declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Theodore K. Kyle has received compensation from Novo Nordisk, Nutrisystem, the Obesity Action Coalition, and The Obesity Society for service as a consultant.

References

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