From Theory to Policy: Reducing Harms Associated with the Weight-Centered Health Paradigm

This article provides an overview of harms associated with public policy promotion of the weight-centered health paradigm and suggests that a shift away from weight-centered health policies is required. Given the evidence about the negative health implications of weight-centric health policies, the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Fat studies 2012-01, Vol.1 (1), p.97-113
Main Authors: O'Reilly, Caitlin, Sixsmith, Judith
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
health at every size
public health
public policy
weight-centered health paradigm
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Summary:This article provides an overview of harms associated with public policy promotion of the weight-centered health paradigm and suggests that a shift away from weight-centered health policies is required. Given the evidence about the negative health implications of weight-centric health policies, the objectives are to explore why public policy officials uncritically rely on and promote the weight-centered health paradigm and to propose policy alternatives. Based on findings from discourse analysis of "obesity"-related 1 policy documents, public health policy solutions to the weight-centered health paradigm are proposed and analyzed, drawing from ten key informant interviews with stakeholders working within the policy, academic, and medical contexts.
ISSN:2160-4851
2160-486X
DOI:10.1080/21604851.2012.627792