Are Words Weighing Us Down? Experts Discuss Why What We Say Matters When It Comes to Weight and Health

October 20th, 2011

What:

The STOP Obesity Alliance Task Force on Women hosted a webinar in which a range of experts discussed why weight is a health-related issue, the need for media and policymakers to more responsibly address weight-related issues and what barriers may be getting in the way of a more informed, responsible conversation. The webinar also unveiled key takeaways from a new guidelines document, Pounds and Policy: Building a Healthier Nation with Effective Communication and Legislation, jointly created by the Alliance and the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) to assist decision makers on how to design weight-related policy and programs that maintain a focus on better health.

Who:

• Christine Ferguson, JD, Director, STOP Obesity Alliance (moderator)
• Diana Karczmarczyk, Senior Manager of Training and Development, American Diabetes Association
• Marjorie Maginn, President, Women in Government
• Rebecca Puhl, PhD, Director of Research & Weight Stigma Initiatives, Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at Yale University
• Ovidio Bermudez, MD, Medical Director of Child and Adolescent Services, Eating Recovery Center; Board Member, National Eating Disorders Association

Why:

• There is a continued belief across America that obesity is largely a matter of personal responsibility and that little can or should be done in policy to address it—in part because of the media’s emphasis on appearance as opposed to health when covering weight-related health topics.
• Despite this trend, policymakers must acknowledge that a person’s individual choices and societal factors play into their weight status in order to responsibly address weight and health in policy.
• Joint guidelines from the Alliance and NEDA have potential to help policymakers make sound weight-related health policy decisions that can improve the health of Americans.

When:

Thursday, October 20, 12 pm to 1 pm ET

Missed it?

Listen to the archived webinar below.

Click here to view the slides.