Framing Obesity: The Role of the Research System in Perpetuating or Challenging Weight Stigma
This commentary highlights the critical role of research systems and framing in either perpetuating or challenging weight stigma. Despite growing recognition of weight stigma as a public health issue, research discourse can reinforce harmful narratives through weight-centric models, stigmatizing language, and narrow focus on weight. We call for inclusive, transdisciplinary, and co-designed research that centers lived experience and prioritizes health outcomes over weight loss. We advocate for systemic changes across research funding, ethics, publication, and dissemination practices to reduce stigma and promote equity.
Authors
- Blake J. Lawrence (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8772-8226)
- Elizabeth Holmes‐Truscott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9139-4663)
- Monica E. Garner
- Kimberley Norman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4278-5451)
- Timothy R. Broady (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4341-1868)
- Briony Hill (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4993-3963)
- Xochitl de la Piedad Garcia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9319-8671)
- James Kite (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5500-2538)
- Zanab Malik
- Tim Gill
- Andrew Wilson
- John Dixon
Institutions
- University of Technology Sydney (AU)
- The University of Sydney (AU)
- New South Wales Department of Health (AU)
- Deakin University (AU)
- Curtin University (AU)
- Diabetes Australia (AU)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Issues Research (US)
- Sydney Local Health District (AU)
- Camber Collective (United States) (US)
- South Western Sydney Local Health District (AU)
- Monash University (AU)
- Swinburne University of Technology (AU)
- University of Newcastle Australia (AU)
- Australian Catholic University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Obesity Science & Practice
- Published
- 2025-12-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.70111
- Primary Topic
- Obesity and Health Practices
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00