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Review
. 2022 Apr 21:47:101408.
doi: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2022.101408. eCollection 2022 May.

Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma

Adrian Brown  1   2   3 , Stuart W Flint  4   5 , Rachel L Batterham  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma

Adrian Brown et al. EClinicalMedicine. .

Abstract

Evidence has accumulated to demonstrate the pervasiveness, impact and implications of weight stigma. As such, there is a need for concerted efforts to address weight stigma and discrimination that is evident within, policy, healthcare, media, workplaces, and education. The continuation of weight stigma, which is known to have a negative impact on mental and physical health, threatens the societal values of equality, diversity, and inclusion. This health policy review provides an analysis of the research evidence highlighting the widespread nature of weight stigma, its impact on health policy and the need for action at a policy level. We propose short- and medium-term recommendations to address weight stigma and in doing so, highlight the need change across society to be part of efforts to end weight stigma and discrimination.

Funding: None.

Keywords: Obesity; Policy; Weight stigma and discrimination.

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Conflict of interest statement

Outside of the submitted work, AB reports research grants from National Institute for Health Research, Rosetrees Trust, Medical Research Council and Novo Nordisk, personal fees from Novo Nordisk and Obesity UK, institutional fees from Public Health England, support for attendance at meetings from Novo Nordisk and stocks at Reset Health Clinics Ltd. AB also reports unpaid roles with the British Dietetics Association, Obesity Policy Engagement Network, British Nutrition Foundation, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Obesity, and the Obesity Policy Engagement Network. SWF reports research grants from National Institute for Health Research, Public Health England, Doncaster Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Johnson and Johnson, Novo Nordisk and the University of Leeds, personal fees from the Royal College of General Practitioners, Institutional fees from Public Health England, and support for attendance at meetings from Novo Nordisk and Johnson & Johnson. SWF also reports unpaid roles with Obesity UK. RLB reports research grants from National Institute for Health Research, Rosetrees Trust, and Sir Jules Thorn Trust, and personal fees from Novo Nordisk, ViiV Healthcare Ltd, Pfizer, Gila Therapeutics, GLWL Research, International Medical Press. RLB also reports unpaid roles with Royal College of Physicians, the Association for the Study of Obesity, British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society, National Bariatric Surgery Registry, BSR, International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, European Society of Endocrinology and Obesity Empowerment Network.

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