Obesity, stigma and public health planning

Given the rise in obesity rates in North America, concerns aboutobesity-related costs to the health care system are being stressedin both the popular media and the scientific literature. Withsuch constant calls to action, care must be taken not to increasestigmatization of obese people, particularly of children. Whilethere is much written about stigma and how it is exacerbated,there are few guidelines for public health managers and practitionerswho are attempting to design and implement obesity preventionprograms that minimize stigma. We examine stigmatization ofobese people and the consequences of this social process, anddiscuss how stigma is manifest in health service provision.We give suggestions for designing non-stigmatizing obesity preventionpublic health programs. Implications for practice and policyare discussed.