Weight Stigma - A Gracious Approach

When you see this picture? What do you think about the person? What do you think about this person’s work ethic, intelligence, discipline, value to society and health?

There was recently a picture of someone with extra body fat posted in an advertisement and there was an uproar (link: https://www.yahoo.com/gma/gillette-posted-photo-plus-size-model-twitter-couldnt-014741290.html). I know with social media everything gets a big uproar, but we need to stop and think about how we view this person. 

Obesity is an epidemic that gets a lot of attention, but that does not mean it is the only think we should think about and how we should evaluate a person. Yes, obesity is linked to health problems, but so are many other things. For example, models who starve themselves and not getting enough sleep are both linked to health problems, but being overweight carries more of a stigma.

We need to watch what we say to others because our words carry power (Proverbs 18:21). Puhl et al found that the weight stigma interferes with effective obesity interventions (2010). A gracious approach, acknowledging the person's value and seeing beyond their appearance would be beneficial for them to break away from the "health issue you are concerned about." We need to take responsibility, since our perception of people influences their life. We have a lot of responsibility and we are told to build up the body so instead of tearing down someone based on their appearance maybe it is time to be encouraging.

See them as a person with worth.

A daughter of the King.

Someone who is intelligent and capable of changing the world.

A person designed with a purpose.

It is not going to be easy to change previous thoughts and stereotypes, but we have to try so everyone can live their best life. Maybe it is time to realize everyone, including yourself, is a lot more than what they look like or do. You kind words.

Remind yourself of your worth and take a gracious approach with yourself, you are not a failure for eating something or looking certain way. The person who has weighs more than you is not worse than you. It is not about comparison and trying to be better than, both of you are great both of you are loved completely!

<3 Jessica


References:
Proverbs 18:21 (NASB)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Puhl, R. M., & Heuer, C. A. (2010). Obesity stigma: important considerations for public health. American journal of public health, 100(6), 1019-1028.