Posts Tagged ‘weight discrimination’

A surprising bit of truth popped out at a Washington, DC, area high school late last week. At Northern High School in Calvert County, MD, a student summed up a lot of unspoken health policy regarding obesity with a poster he or she displayed in the school’s health club. It was up for about five […]

Even a cursory look at employer wellness strategies reveals some striking contrasts in what employers are up to. But one thing is clear. Engaging employees in health and wellness is an area of growing focus and obesity continues to be a key target for such efforts. Mercer, an employee benefits consultancy, said yesterday that 42% […]

A very retro story is at the top of the news — but it’s not a good one. Air India has decided that flight attendants with excess weight are excess baggage and they have declared 130 of them “permanently unfit for their jobs.” This would not have been shocking five decades ago when airline advertising […]

We’re feeling a little sympathy for fat shamers today. It’s been a rough week, capped by the news yesterday that Nicole Arbour was fired from her role in an upcoming movie — Don’t Talk to Irene — because of her vicious fat shaming video, Dear Fat People. Canadian Film Director Pat Mills explained: [I’m making] […]

In a quick, but piecemeal response to the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC), ABC removed fat shaming content from a comedy series called Dr. Ken that is set to premier in October, starring Ken Jeong. In a promotional trailer for the series, Jeong was shown examining a patient with obesity. When the patient asked for his diagnosis, Jeong — who […]

A good friend recently asked: “Will we ever be able to have a real conversation about obesity or will it always be these side shows?” The example of comedian Nicole Arbour (right) — pathetically grubbing for attention with a hateful video on YouTube and Facebook — gives us doubts about the near-term possibilities. Arbour put out a […]

Some of the stars of the Obesity Action Coalition really shined last night at the closing ceremonies for the national Your Weight Matters 2015 annual meeting. Fourteen individuals and organizations were called out for special recognition in their work to help the OAC deliver education, advocacy, and support for people everywhere affected by obesity. Justin Puckett, […]

The opening reception of the fourth annual Your Weight Matters National Convention brings just one question to mind. How has it come to pass that we have such a vibrant obesity community? What brings more than 500 hundred people from the U.S. — as well as other countries this year — to spend their own money […]

Later today, more than 500 people directly affected by obesity will be gathering in San Antonio for the best conference in obesity that will happen this year. Though there are plenty of other fine conferences with great people and great information, YWM2015 (organized by the Obesity Action Coalition) is the only one that puts people […]

One of the murky mysteries of obesity policies is exactly why anyone ever thought it would be helpful to send fat letters home from school to parents. Now we have two studies that find no benefit to students for BMI screening and notification at school. The first, published by Kristine Madsen in 2011, found no […]