Psychological perspectives on obesity

In September 2019 the BPS launched their report 'Psychological perspectives on obesity: Addressing policy, practice and research priorities'.

The report highlights the complexity of obesity and calls for government policy to be informed by evidence from psychology.

Recommendations include using language that does not stigmatise and avoiding framing obesity as a choice.

Read the full report , along with Angel Chater's blog on it, here.

These are our favourite obesity-related articles from The Psychologist and the Research Digest:

Rethinking the public health approach to obesity - Joanne Rathbone and colleagues.

Obesity stigma and the misdirection of responsibility - Alex Bogaardt highlights the role of inequality in obesity.

When a body meets a body: fat enters the consulting room - An exclusive chapter from a new book 'The Fat Lady Sings', by Cheryl Fuller, published by Karnac.

Body weight and the credibility of psychologists - What might fat stigma mean for overweight practitioners?

Serving up trouble? Advertising food to children - As pressure grows on food advertisers, Jason C.G. Halford looks at the evidence.

Obesity special interest group - Ella Rhodes on a British Psychological Society call for a national voice in the debate.

Obesity management and the paradox of control - Jane Ogden argues that psychological solutions are not always best.

Helping policy makers understand obesity - Ella Rhodes reports from a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Psychology. 

Sweet move in obesity policy - Ella Rhodes reports on the 'sugar tax'. 

Sugar levy leaves bitter taste - Ella Rhodes asked psychologists what better approaches there could be. 

If obesity is a disease, is labelling it that way the cure?- Melanie Tannenbaum for the Research Digest. 

Vets show "weight bias" against obese dogs and their owners - A new study examines whether the same weight bias that affects the delivery of healthcare in humans is prevalent among pet doctors as well.

Find peace with bodies and food - Ian Florance meets counselling psychologist Dr Sara Dowsett, founder of the Intuitive Psychology academy.

When two roles clash - Chloe Morris on reflective practice and cognitive dissonance.

Teachers show biases against overweight kids - This includes giving them lower grades.

Image: World Obesity Federation