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World Obesity Day Update

Dear Members, Advocates and Champions,

Welcome to the first in a series of weekly communications that will lead up to #WorldObesityDay on 11th October 2018.

This year, our focus is on weight stigma.

We want to #EndWeightStigma by shining a spotlight on the stigmatising language and images used by the media, healthcare providers and society at large.

Help us end weight stigma this #WorldObesityDay

Each week in the lead up to #WorldObesityDay we’ll share ideas on how you can engage with media, healthcare providers and other organisations to help #EndWeightStigma. We’ll also provide you with resources to support your activity on World Obesity Day.

Additionally, we will share what World Obesity and our members and supporters are doing on and around the day.

We’ll be sharing all the tools and resources you need over the coming weeks at the dedicated site: www.obesityday.worldobesity.org.

/ What is World Obesity Day?

World Obesity Day was launched in 2015 as an annual campaign to stimulate and support practical solutions to help people achieve and maintain a healthy weight, and to reverse the global obesity crisis.

The number of adults living with obesity continues to rise. On current trends, 2.7billion adults worldwide will live with obesity by 2025, of which 177 million adults will be in need of treatment as a result of severe obesity.

This #WorldObesityDay we are asking you to help us #EndWeightStigma by calling out examples of stigma and prejudice in the media and online.

/ Why focus on stigma?

Weight stigma is pervasive in countries around the world – and we all have a role to play to help end it. Here’s why:

Stigmatising obesity undermines people’s health and makes it harder to seek support
Negative images and language reinforce stigma around obesityModern environments encourage and promote unhealthy lifestyles. Obesity is not about individual blame but shared responsibility in society
A positive, supportive narrative between clinicians and their patients will increase the effectiveness of care.

/ How can we end stigma?

This #WorldObesityDay there are four calls to action:

to help end weight stigma we need… Media to abandon the use of negative images and language about obesity.

to help end weight stigma we need… Health care providers to acknowledge the environmental factors that cause obesity, which will improve support and efficacy during diagnosis and treatment.

to help end weight stigma we need… Greater awareness that there are multiple sources of weight stigma and greater understanding of the steps to avoid it such as at work or at school.

to help end weight stigma we need… Government action to improve the environments we live in, rather than focus on individual responsibility and blame.

/ World Obesity Day materials and resources

There are a range of tools and resources to support this year’s #WorldObesityDay. More will be available over the coming weeks so please keep checking the webpages.

Advocacy toolkit

We’ve prepared advice on how to help #EndWeightStigma in your country or community. This includes more detail on how you can get involved and advice on non-stigmatising solutions. Click here to access the toolkit

Webinar

On 19 September 2018 at 4pm BST we are hosting a webinar on World Obesity Day theme 'Weight Stigma' and will include a summary of the campaign and how to get involved. Johanna Ralston will chair the webinar with presentations from various members and advocates plus guest speaker Stuart Flint talking on 'Weight Stigma and the Media'. If you are able to join us, please register by following this link

Image Bank

World Obesity has an image bank filled with non-stigmatising images. They are completely free to use and very easy to download. You can consider using the images in presentations, reports and other materials you may produce as part of your work.

Case studies – we need your help

Do you know anyone who has experienced obesity stigma? If so, we want to hear from you. We’re on the hunt for compelling real-life stories and experiences that clearly demonstrate the impact of stigma. Direct experiences and personal stories will help the media and healthcare providers realise the consequences of stigma and encourage them to change attitudes towards people with obesity.

We have provided an on-line form (with guidelines) for you to complete which you can access by clicking here. We are looking for anything from a short quote reflecting on your experience through to a more detailed story of up to 300 words. Deadline for submissions is Friday 14th September

/ What next?

In the coming weeks there will be more information on our plans for #WorldObesityDay and how you can get involved.

This includes plans for social media, a template press release and template letters to media.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact us at wod@worldobesity.org

You can tweet us @WorldObesity and use #WorldObesityDay or #EndWeightStigma

All information and resources will be added to our World Obesity Day website as it becomes available.

Thank you for helping us #EndWeightStigma.

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