OAC collaborates to create guidelines for media portrayal of obesity

The Obesity Action Committee, The Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity and the Obesity Society released new guidelines for how the disease of obesity can be portrayed in coverage by media.

“Considerable evidence shows that the media often reinforces negative weight-based stereotypes, perpetuating societal bias toward children and adults affected by obesity," said Rebecca Puhl, deputy director of the Rudd Center, in a press release. "These new media guidelines offer multiple strategies to promote appropriate, non-stigmatizing reporting of obesity, and call upon media representatives to give careful consideration to language and images used in their reporting of obesity.”

The guidelines emphasize that media outlets should actively respect diversity, avoid stereotypes, use accurate terminology, conduct accurate news coverage of obesity and select graphic media that will appropriately represent people with obesity.

"The Obesity Society is proud to endorse these guidelines to ensure we talk about obesity with respect for the people affected," said Ted Kyle, RPh, MBA, advocacy advisor for The Obesity Society and chairman of the Obesity Action Committee National Board of Directors, in a press release. “We're hopeful that the media, policy makers and the public will take note: the use of people-first language shows respect for those affected. By setting bias aside, we enhance our efforts to treat and prevent the disease."

For more information, download the new guidelines available at http://www.obesityaction.org.