Weight Issues Network

WIN is led by people who have been impacted by obesity and weight issues. We know that living with and dealing with weight issues can be tough at times – WIN is a safe supportive space where you can connect with like-minded people ⭐️⁠ ⁠ Join the growing voice of Australians fighting against weight bias, stigma and misinformation - become a member today 💪🏼 #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

WIN believes there are many ways to consider ‘weight matters’, and we do not subscribe to a one size fits all approach; instead, we respect peoples’ right to choose a path that is appropriate for them. For some, this means reducing their weight to minimise longer-term health risks, while for others, the absence of immediate health concerns means that they remain content and without the goal of weight reduction. ⁠ ⁠ Join the growing voice of Australians fighting against weight bias, stigma and misinformation 💪🏼⁠ 🌐 https://lnkd.in/gD6teZvQ

How are stigma and shame are major barriers to helping people? ➡️ Stigma is the major challenge. Research shows that stigma amongst healthcare professionals is prevalent. ➡️ We have observed that our patients are suffering because of stigma in many aspects of their life, including with healthcare professionals. Some don’t feel worthy of treatment, support or time when we first speak to them. ➡️ Healthcare professionals need to better understand how people with obesity feel when they are asking for help. Many people are dealing with fear and shame. Shame is a major barrier to people wanting to ask for help so as healthcare professionals, we must not make this worse. ➡️ Healthcare professionals need to recognise that weight stigma is harmful. Standard training on the challenge of obesity and weight stigma for clinicians and social service providers will help Photo: @obesitycanada #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

🎄✨ Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at the Weight Issues Network! ✨🎄 As we reflect on the past year, we're incredibly grateful for the progress made toward building a more supportive, inclusive, and compassionate approach to weight and health. Your journey is important, and together, we’re creating a community where every individual feels empowered, heard, and understood. In 2025, we hope our mission to promote positive body image, the lived experience, and equitable access to resources continues to inspire and help even more people feel confident and cared for in their own skin. Here’s to a brighter, healthier new year — because every step counts! 💚 #WeightIssuesNetwork

During Christmas this year, we are encouraging our members and community to share some body positivity - whether it be photos, quotes, self-care tips, or general reminders - with WIN and their loved ones to celebrate our bodies and the wonderful things they do for us 🎄❤️ ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

Our members our people whose lives have been impacted by overweight and obesity. This may be in the way of personal experience or as a friend or family member.⁠ Joanne has joined WIN due her past experiences enduring endured bias, discrimination and hate speech along with her family members, altering the perception of self worth. ⁠ ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia

➡️ Terminology There are many terms used to represent higher levels of body fat and unfortunately negative connotations can make it difficult to communicate around this topic. We note that people have different preferences around terminology and we recognise that some people don’t like the word ‘obesity’ because of negative associations with the term. If someone is very negatively emotionally triggered while reading the words, statements and stories in this report, we apologise. That is not our intention. We are trying to raise awareness and communicate clearly. To be clear, when we refer to obesity, we mean excess body fat that is affecting our health and wellbeing, not a personal judgement. #WIN #Weight|ssuesNetworkAustralia Photo: @obesityaction

There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to living with weight issues. Everyone is different and their experiences will vary depending on many things, some including:⁠ ⁠ 🔸 The length of time living with excess weight⁠ 🔸 Weight loss attempts and outcomes⁠ 🔸 Causes⁠ 🔸 Self-perceptions⁠ 🔸 Health challenges⁠ 🔸 Support⁠ ⁠ There is no one story that will resonate with everyone’s experience, but there are themes that we know are important to share. Share your story with WIN today 🧡 ⁠ ⁠ #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. ⁠ #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 Photo: WA Health ⁠ #WIN #WeightIssuesNetworkAustralia