Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma
Joint Authors
Russell-Mayhew, Shelly
McLaren, Lindsay
Alberga, Angela S.
von Ranson, Kristin M.
Source
Issue
Vol. 2018, Issue 2018 (31 Dec. 2018), pp.1-7, 7 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2018-07-02
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
Very little attention has been given to unintended consequences of government reporting on obesity.
This paper argues that the 2016 Senate report, “Obesity in Canada: A Whole-Of-Society Approach,” exemplifies the systemic public health issue of weight stigma.
The purpose of this viewpoint is to critique the approach taken in the Report, by illustrating that it (1) takes a weight-centric approach to health, (2) does not acknowledge important limitations of the definition and measurement of obesity, (3) reifies obesity as a categorical phenomenon that must be prevented, and (4) uses aggressive framing and disrespectful terminology.
The Report perpetuates a focus on the individual, thereby failing to recognize the role that governments can play in reducing weight stigma and addressing social determinants of health.
If steps are taken to avoid propagating weight stigma, future reports could more constructively address health promotion, equity, and social determinants of health in their policies.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Alberga, Angela S.& McLaren, Lindsay& Russell-Mayhew, Shelly& von Ranson, Kristin M.. 2018. Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma. Journal of Obesity،Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1196047
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Alberga, Angela S.…[et al.]. Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma. Journal of Obesity No. 2018 (2018), pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1196047
American Medical Association (AMA)
Alberga, Angela S.& McLaren, Lindsay& Russell-Mayhew, Shelly& von Ranson, Kristin M.. Canadian Senate Report on Obesity: Focusing on Individual Behaviours versus Social Determinants of Health May Promote Weight Stigma. Journal of Obesity. 2018. Vol. 2018, no. 2018, pp.1-7.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-1196047
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-1196047