Weight Issues Network

Today is World Obesity Day ⭕️🔔⁠ Changing Systems, Healthier Lives 🌍 Obesity isn't an individual issue—it’s the result of systems that aren't working for us. From healthcare that overlooks obesity care to food systems that push unhealthy choices, the systems in place are contributing to rising obesity rates worldwide. At WIN, we believe that obesity is one of the most under resourced areas of medicine for many reasons, the main one being stigma and blaming patients for their condition. Instead of being resourced to provide treatment options for obesity, we are resourced to treat conditions that result from obesity.⁠ ⁠💡 Let's share our stories. Because when we all talk, debate and share, we can shift norms and transform health outcomes for everybody. Together, let's address misconceptions surrounding obesity, recognise its intricacies, and engage in impactful, collective action.⁠ ⁠ 👉 Get involved: https://lnkd.in/gGj6W_Vj⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

🎙️ New Podcast Episode: Lived Experience of Higher Weight & Obesity – What It’s Really Like In this episode, The Obesity Collective interviews members from The Weight Issues Network (WIN), including Andrew Wilson and Theresa Thompson. They share their personal journeys and the challenges they’ve faced living with higher weight and obesity. Our members open up about what they wish healthcare professionals understood, the impact of stigma on care, and why obesity is much more than just diet and exercise. They also discuss self-acceptance, the gaps in the weight conversation, and ways to create more compassionate healthcare for those living with obesity. Tune in to hear their powerful stories and insights. If you’re a healthcare professional, advocate, or someone with lived experience, this episode offers powerful insights and practical steps toward change. 🎧 Listen now: https://lnkd.in/gPPnhTEd #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

Hearing directly from people with lived experience of weight stigma can help break down harmful stereotypes and reveal the reality of how these prejudices affect people’s lives. 💬 WIN has created a safe community to share our stories and perspectives to ensure policy, research, and healthcare services are carried out along with our inputs, and not simply done "to us". Share your story and give others the courage and opportunity to step forward to speak up 💛⁠ Photo: @worldobesity #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

Are you thinking of joining WIN? ✅ Create a strong voice for people living with Obesity and their families/carers⁠ ✅ Be part of a growing and supportive community⁠ ✅ Help change the narrative around weight challenges in Australia⁠ ✅ Provide your input and perspective on what needs to change for our future advocacy platform and campaigns⁠ ✅ Share your story with others to help fight stigma, bias and misinformation⁠ ✅ Help to ensure that the lived experience perspectives are heard and valued in the national debate⁠ ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia Photo: WA Health

Like other complex health conditions (some consider obesity a chronic disease), evidence-based care and support are needed. There needs to be more clarity around why obesity is so difficult, what the options are in different locations and that different things work for different people. We need individualised and ⁠person-centred care, that is of consistent quality and delivered with respect. 'Eat less and move more' is not cutting it. Obesity can no longer be considered just a personal issue⁠.⁠ ⁠ #WIN #WeightlssuesNetworkAustralia

As a society, we need to support environments that are conducive to good health. Healthier communities, and locations may help prevent obesity for some, and help those living with obesity to achieve their goals. We need to take action to make our environments less ‘obesogenic.’ That means resisting fast food outlets, providing adequate and inclusive outdoor facilities and ensuring that urban design considers the needs of all people, regardless of size, ability or age. It is time that we do more than just focus on individuals needing to have willpower or resources to overcome unhealthy spaces. Everyone’s health and wellbeing needs to be a high priority in the economy and for city planning 🌆⁠ ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

One of the leading causes of this negative perception about weight, is the way in which obesity is portrayed in the news media.⁠ ⁠ ➡️ Typical media representations of obesity show people gorging, lazy, sloppy, wearing ill-fitting clothing and, through dehumanising images of people – photographs taken from behind or with their head cut off. It could be argued that this is to protect the identity of people but in effect it associates obesity with shame.⁠ ⁠ ❌ This public portrayal of overweight and obesity is damaging, and we know that stigma has harmful effects on health and wellbeing. It may lead to a person to not seeking medical attention for fear of judgement and continues to frame obesity as a personal choice.⁠ ⁠ 💪🏽 We at WIN are working to change this depiction of overweight and obesity. Together with The Obesity Collective and Cancer Council Victoria, WIN developed a media guide that assists media outlets in being respectful in their reporting of people living with obesity. ⁠ Photo: @obesityaction Check out our media guide ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g6Dje8Fh #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

Online Book Club for World Obesity Day 2025: Exploring Magic Pill Join us for an enlightening online book club event in recognition of World Obesity Day 2025. This event is jointly hosted by Health Consumers' Council, WIN, and The WELL Collaborative! We’ll explore Johann Hari’s thought-provoking book, Magic Pill, which examines the extraordinary benefits and unsettling risks of new weight loss drugs. Hari dives into the complex interplay of science, psychology, inequality, and the food industry, offering fresh perspectives on these cutting-edge treatments and their broader societal impact. This expert panel will unpack these themes and discuss the implications for individuals and communities. This will be followed by an interactive Question & Answers session, so why not take this opportunity to share an experience or have your say. Magic Pill is available for purchase at all major retailers, including Big W, Booktopia, Amazon and Dymocks. Audiobooks are available on Audible and Spotify Premium. Books can also be requested though your local library. If you have any questions about this event, please email info@thewellcollaborative.org.au Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in a vital conversation about health and wellbeing! #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

You must remind yourself that your body and physical appearance is not a problem that needs to be fixed, and that your self-worth is achieved by optimising your health, not your physical appearance 💪🏽⁠ ⁠ ⁠ Don't make weight loss your resolution for success; instead, resolve to nourish your mind, body, and spirit, fostering a life that celebrates the richness of your unique story ⭐️ ⁠ Photo: @obesitycanada #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

Thinking of joining WIN? Head to our website to be a part of a growing and supportive community 👨👩👧👦 Join the growing voice of Australians fighting against weight bias, stigma and misinformation ⭐️ There is no cost to join WIN ❌⁠ ⁠⁠ 🌐 https://lnkd.in/gGj6W_Vj⁠ 📩 info@auswin.org.au⁠ ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia