An extensive survey of public attitudes to obesity suggests that our perceptions of when someone is overweight are changing, but obese people are still stigmatised.
The findings of the first British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey on obesity, commissioned by Public Health England (PHE), show that people underestimate their weight and struggle to identify the point when someone becomes obese. This is especially true for men. With almost two thirds of British adults overweight or obese, PHE says the findings suggest that obesity is being ‘normalised’, with people failing to recognise when weight gain becomes unhealthy.
The survey also found that obesity tends to be regarded as a problem for individuals and healthcare professionals rather than society more generally, and those who are obese are often stigmatised. However, there is significant support for actions aimed at reducing levels of obesity.
The survey also found that obesity tends to be regarded as a problem for individuals and healthcare professionals rather than society more generally, and those who are obese are often stigmatised. However, there is significant support for actions aimed at reducing levels of obesity.
The BSA survey is an authoritative source of data on the views of the British public, carried out annually since 1983.
Read PHE’s report here, and find out more here about Sustain’s campaign work for a healthier food system.
Published Friday 9 December 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
