Rockville, MD. — The Obesity Society (TOS), the leading U.S. organization advancing the science, treatment, and prevention of obesity, today launched the global End Weight Stigma initiative. This renewed international effort addresses weight bias and promotes evidence-based understanding of obesity. The program is co-led by TOS CEO Sherlyn Celone-Arnold, MS, and Stuart W. Flint, Associate Professor of the Psychology of Obesity at the University of Leeds. Their partnership underscores that ending stigma requires a whole-system approach — extending to generative AI, media, policy, and healthcare — to ensure respectful, person-first, and scientifically accurate language is used.
As obesity rates rise globally and public discourse evolves, TOS is calling on healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, educators, employers, and individuals to commit to compassionate, bias-free environments. To support this, TOS released a new policy brief, Speaking the Language of Obesity, to guide accurate and respectful communication about obesity and people living with it.
“Outdated misconceptions still shape public attitudes and treatment decisions, despite clear evidence that obesity is a complex, chronic disease influenced by biological, genetic, environmental, and social factors,” said Sherlyn Celone-Arnold, MS, CEO of TOS. “Weight bias creates serious barriers to emotional wellbeing, quality of care, and long-term health outcomes. We have a responsibility to let science, compassion, and respect shape how we talk about obesity and care for those living with it.”
Research has shown that weight bias and discrimination can negatively affect physical and mental health, limit workplace opportunities, contribute to social inequities, and discourage individuals from seeking medical care or support. TOS believes ending weight stigma is essential to improving public health.
As part of its broader effort to raise awareness of weight bias and stigma, the policy brief, Speaking the Language of Obesity, provides recommendations for more respectful, person-first, and scientifically grounded obesity-related communication across healthcare, research, education, policy, and media settings. The brief underscores the growing recognition that language influences not only public perceptions of obesity but also healthcare experiences, treatment decisions, patient trust, and broader understanding of obesity as a complex, chronic disease.
Among the recommendations, the guidance encourages the use of person-first language such as “person with obesity” rather than “obese person,” and advises against stigmatizing or judgmental terminology that can reinforce bias and misinformation. It also recommends using the term “obesity medications” rather than “anti-obesity medications,” noting that adversarial framing can unintentionally perpetuate stigma instead of supporting evidence-based understanding and care.
Dr. Flint’s research shows that the framing of obesity in media and policy drives weight stigma. He notes that addressing this requires a “whole system approach,” which today includes ensuring generative AI tools are trained to create respectful, person-first, and scientifically accurate content. “There is now widespread use of Generative AI tools, and we know that people use these tools to search for and use health-related information. Its potential influence and impact mean that information that is generated must be accurate, reflecting up-to-date scientific evidence. It’s imperative that generative AI tools do not contribute further to the well-documented pervasiveness of weight stigma. This includes the words that we use. Language influences how people living with obesity are perceived, treated, and supported. Advancing more respectful and science-based conversations surrounding obesity is an important step toward reducing bias, improving care, and, where relevant, helping people feel empowered to seek treatment and support,” said Dr. Stuart W. Flint
By signing the End Weight Stigma Pledge, individuals and organizations are committing to:
- Treating people with overweight or obesity with dignity and respect
- Rejecting stigmatizing language, imagery, and stereotypes
- Supporting education and research focused on obesity and body weight regulation
- Advancing efforts to prevent weight discrimination in healthcare, education, and workplace settings
The pledge also recognizes that weight stigma and discrimination cannot be tolerated in modern society and calls for collective action to challenge harmful narratives and policies that perpetuate bias.
“Despite decades of scientific advancement, people living with obesity still face judgment, shame, and misinformation instead of empathy, evidence-based care, and support,” said Jacqueline M. Stephens, PhD, FTOS, President of The Obesity Society. “Ending weight stigma is not simply about changing language. It is about changing systems, attitudes, policies, and culture. Real progress in obesity care and public health will not happen until we address the bias and discrimination that continue to marginalize millions of people.”
TOS encourages members, partners, healthcare organizations, advocates, and the broader public to join the growing movement and sign the pledge to help create a more inclusive and supportive future for individuals affected by obesity.
To learn more and sign the pledge, visit www.obesity.org/end-weight-stigma
About The Obesity Society (TOS)
The Obesity Society (TOS) is the leading professional society focused on obesity science, treatment, and prevention. Driven by research, education, and evidence-based advocacy, TOS promotes a comprehensive and science-based approach to addressing obesity as a serious, chronic, and treatable disease. The Society’s members include scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and other professionals working to improve health outcomes and reduce the global impact of obesity. Learn more at The Obesity Society.