Language Frames and Shapes the Response to Obesity

Authors

Theodore K. Kyle, ConscienHealth, 2270 Country Club Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15241, USA. Electronic address: ted.kyle@conscienhealth.org.
Scott Kahan, George Washington University School of Medicine, National Center for Weight and Wellness, 1020 19th Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20036, USA.
Joe Nadglowski, Obesity Action Coalition, 4511 N Himes Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614, USA.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

12-1-2023

Journal

Gastroenterology clinics of North America

Volume

52

Issue

4

DOI

10.1016/j.gtc.2023.09.002

Keywords

Barriers to health; Health communication; Health stigma; Implicit bias; Obesity; Public perceptions; Stigmatizing language

Abstract

Because the scientific understanding of obesity has grown, explicit expressions of weight bias have steadily become less acceptable. However, implicit weight bias and stigma remain common impediments to health. Language frames the public perception of obesity. It is problematic when public discourse or scientific publications reflect misinformation or bias against people with obesity because this can promote stigma and barriers to health. Examples of stigmatizing language include descriptions of obesity as an identity rather than a disease, language that describes obesity as a crisis or a cause for panic, and excessive focus on weight or appearance rather than health outcomes.

APA Citation

Kyle, Theodore K.; Kahan, Scott; and Nadglowski, Joe, "Language Frames and Shapes the Response to Obesity" (2023). GW Authored Works. Paper 4057.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/4057

Department

Medicine