Fact or Fiction: Is obesity actually an epidemic?
Part 1: An evidence and empathy-based approach to obesity and weight loss
The “obesity epidemic”
We’ve all seen news headlines declaring obesity as a global health emergency. More than ever, our newsfeeds and social media are flooded with weight loss solutions and fad diets. So what’s the deal? Is obesity really a dangerous epidemic we must fight with bland zoodles and mushy cauliflower rice?
While it is true that obesity rates have been rising, I want to take you on a journey into the scientific literature to find out how much weight actually affects health (spoiler, it’s not as much as you would think). For this 5-part blog series I’ll be using the most recent scientific evidence to address how much weight affects health, and providing evidence-based tips to help you improve your health without changing your size.
Why should you care?
My goal is to address misinformation in popular health media. Growing up I was exposed to all the obesity related messaging that was in the news and magazines, all of which pushed the narrative that thin is healthy. It wasn’t until I went to university to study human biology and nutrition that I was exposed to the actual research – and realized how much of the messaging we see in popular media is wrong. I want to offer up a more accurate, evidence-based, and empathetic approach to the topic of weight and weight loss. Misinformation in popular health media can perpetuate harmful weight stereotypes, weight stigma, body dysmorphia and disordered eating. My hope is that by providing a holistic look at the research on obesity, I can decrease some of that stigma and help people feel more comfortable and healthy in the bodies they have.
Understanding the nuances
This is a complex, and highly emotional topic for many people. It’s important to understand that while we can debate the effects of weight on health, we are not debating the value of people’s lives. A person’s value is not determined by their health, their productivity, or their weight; we all deserve to be treated with respect, full stop.
It's also important to note that while we’ll be talking specifically about how weight affects health, weight is obviously not the only thing that affects health or quality of life. Genetics, lifestyle, stress, access to health care, access to healthy food and green spaces, discrimination, and other social factors all contribute to a person’s health and well-being as well.
With all that pre-amble out of the way, I think it’s time to strap ourselves into that magic-science school bus and take a tour through the obesity research. Stay tuned for part 2 of this series; How much does weight actually affect your health?