What’s Wrong With the ‘War on Obesity?’ A Narrative Review of the Weight-Centered Health Paradigm and Development of the 3C Framework to Build Critical Competency for a Paradigm Shift

O’Hara, Lily; Taylor, Jane

doi:10.1177/2158244018772888

Cited by 112 publications

(71 citation statements)

References 271 publications

(329 reference statements)

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“…Moreover, our findings can be interpreted under the umbrella of the criticisms currently directed to the "weight-centered health paradigm" (WCHP), by which body weight is placed at the heart of the discourses about health, resulting in an enhanced adipophobicogenic environment and reduced health and quality of life of those living with excessive weight. This dominant paradigm has resulted in arguments from critical health promotion for a paradigm shift away from focusing on weight and focusing instead on health and well-being within a "healthy at every size", more salutogenic approach [59,60]. In addition, widespread interventions among the general population, as well as specifically for the subpopulation with obesity, should focus on eradicating the ubiquitous social weight stigma and mitigating the deleterious influence of self-stigma on well-being [7].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Satisfaction, Weight Stigma, Positivity, and Happiness among Spanish Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Godoy-Izquierdo

González-Hernández

Rodríguez-Tadeo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Although previous evidence suggests that happiness is lower among individuals with obesity, research on the correlates of subjective well-being (SWB) is warranted to increase our knowledge. We aim to explore excess weight (i.e., measured and self-reported body mass index (BMI)), body image and satisfaction, self-stigma, positivity, and happiness among Spanish adults with overweight or obesity. We further aim to investigate the predictors of SWB in this sample. A convenience sample of 100 individuals with excess weight completed self-reports on the study variables and were weighed and their height measured. On average, the participants reported body perceptions revealing minor excessive weight, moderate body satisfaction, low-to-moderate weight-related stigma, and elevated positivity and happiness. BMI and gender/sex independently affected these variables, but there were no significant interaction effects. Furthermore, individuals with overweight or obesity with higher body satisfaction and elevated positivity were more likely to report being happy, independent of their age, gender/sex, weight, and weight-related stigma. Mediation effects were found for body satisfaction and positivity in the relationship between weight and happiness. Moreover, positive orientation suppressed the pervasive influence of stigma on SWB. Our findings confirm the key role of body image dimensions and weight-related stigma for happiness and add support to the relevance of positivity for overall well-being of individuals with excess weight. These results may inform obesity management actions focused on inclusive aesthetic models, combating social stigmatization and enhancing positivity for a flourishing and fulfilling life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Body Satisfaction, Weight Stigma, Positivity, and Happiness among Spanish Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Godoy-Izquierdo

González-Hernández

Rodríguez-Tadeo

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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“…If passed, the legislation would open funding eligibility to eating disorders prevention programs. Current weight‐centered health policy upholds what O'Hara and Taylor () have termed an “adipophobicogenic environment”—an environment that creates, perpetuates, and maintains weight stigma, including weight‐based bullying, weight discrimination, and contribute to reduced physical, mental, and spiritual health and well‐being (O'Hara & Taylor, ). Shifting away from such a detrimental environment to one that supports health and quality of life for people across the weight spectrum will require across‐the‐board federal elimination of programs and funding linked to a goal of intentional weight reduction.…”

Section: A Weight‐inclusive Policy Approachmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Evidence‐Based Rationale for Adopting Weight‐Inclusive Health Policy

Hunger

Smith

Tomiyama

2020

Social Issues Policy Review

109

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Health policies routinely emphasize weight loss as a target for health promotion. These policies rest upon the assumptions: (1) that higher body weight equals poorer health, (2) that long-term weight loss is widely achievable, and (3) that weight loss results in consistent improvements in physical health. Our review of the literature suggests that these three assumptions underlying the current weightfocused approach are not supported empirically. Complicating this further are the misguided assumptions (4) that weight stigma (i.e., pervasive social devaluation and denigration of higher weight individuals) promotes weight loss and (5) recognizing that one is "overweight" is necessary to spur health-promoting behaviors. We highlight throughout how these assumptions have manifested in current policies and offer suggestions for alternative approaches to health promotion. We conclude by advocating for the broad adoption of a weight-inclusive approach to health policy.There is an obesity crisis in this country. Canadians are paying for it with their wallets-and with their lives.

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“…Rapid fluctuations in body size and dissatisfaction with own body can cause more health damage than excessive body weight. Therefore, the Weight-Centered Health Paradigm (WHCP) is increasingly being subjected to critical analysis, which is moving toward a focus on health and well-being (O'Hara & Taylor, 2018). To counteract the stigmatization of obese people and emphasize the importance of health (and not a slim body at all costs), the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement, among others, was created.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

BMI, Body Perception, and Approach to Eating and Diet in Adolescent Girls

et al. 2020

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of weight status on body perception and satisfaction, occurrence of Anorexia Readiness Syndrome (ARS), and dietary behaviors in adolescent girls. The study was conducted among 516 girls aged 14 to 16 living in Szczecin (Poland). The ARS Diagnosis Questionnaire designed by Ziółkowska and the author’s own questionnaire about self-perception of body were used, and anthropometric assessment was performed. The weight status significantly affected weight status perception, body satisfaction, and dietary behaviors. The girls with a body mass index (BMI) > 50th percentile more often were dissatisfied with their bodies and more often showed at least a medium ARS level. The girls with a BMI ≤ 50th percentile more often overestimated their body weight, and transferred the feeling of being unattractive to their faces. Results of this study demonstrate the importance of education for adolescent girls to help realistically assess body size and promote healthy bodies and eating behaviors, regardless of the weight status.

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What’s Wrong With the ‘War on Obesity?’ A Narrative Review of the Weight-Centered Health Paradigm and Development of the 3C Framework to Build Critical Competency for a Paradigm Shift

Cited by 112 publications

References 271 publications

Body Satisfaction, Weight Stigma, Positivity, and Happiness among Spanish Adults with Overweight and Obesity

Body Satisfaction, Weight Stigma, Positivity, and Happiness among Spanish Adults with Overweight and Obesity

An Evidence‐Based Rationale for Adopting Weight‐Inclusive Health Policy

BMI, Body Perception, and Approach to Eating and Diet in Adolescent Girls

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