Healthcare Professionals

LET'S TALK ABOUT OBESITY AND...
HEALTH

Obesity is very common, affecting 1 in 6 adults and 1 in 11 children worldwide in 2020. Alongside being a disease itself, obesity is linked to a range of adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Unfortunately, many people living with obesity struggle to access health support, and some face harmful stigma. This must change.

Weight stigma can sometimes be a barrier to people getting the necessary medical care. Tackling stigma and providing healthcare that supports both the physical and mental health of people living with obesity is fundamental in addressing both obesity and its risk factors.

Educate yourself

Obesity remains poorly understood among healthcare workers. The World Obesity Federation’s SCOPE learning platform includes over 60 fully accredited e-learning modules in several languages. Begin with the core learning path, then expand your knowledge into a range of specialist areas.

For World Obesity Day, we are offering a one-off 30% discount on the SCOPE Core Learning Path until 1 April 2024. Use the code WOD2024 when you sign up.

World Obesity members, and users in low- and middle-income countries, are entitled to further discounts. Find out more here.

Equip yourself and your team with the skills to support patients living with obesity.

Start training today

42%

of patients

are uncomfortable discussing weight with a GP

Help stop stigma

Patients living with obesity routinely face stigma and struggle to access support.

That's why effective people-centred treatment and prevention is so important. How do you think healthcare professionals can improve the experience? The following resources can help you speak openly and sensitively with patients. Make sure you are providing space for people to discuss their personal experiences and goals.

Avoiding stigma: a guide to people-first language (An Obesity Action Coalition resource)
The dos and don’ts of how to start a conversation about weight
Primary care weight management: Shaping the conversation (SCOPE Module)
Real stories: hear from people living with obesity

Organise an event

The more healthcare professionals understand obesity, the better. Why not organise an event with your peers? Training sessions, lunchtime meetings, or online webinars are a few options to help colleagues understand obesity.

World Obesity encourages anyone organising an activity related to the management of obesity to apply for SCOPE Accreditation. Accredited events are reviewed to ensure they are based on the latest scientific evidence, are free of commercial bias and offer exceptional educational value. If your event is accredited, it will be promoted by World Obesity and on the SCOPE E-Learning portal, and participants will be awarded points which count towards SCOPE certification. Find out more.

Don’t forget to post your event information on the WOD Map!

Promote your event

HEALTHCARE

Find inspiration in others

Let’s talk about… how healthcare professionals can improve access and patient experience. :

Educating healthcare professionals in using non-stigmatising language and communication in managing obesity may positively affect the quality of healthcare and adherence outcomes in weight loss programmes and interventions.

Gizem, London, United Kingdom

read this story

Join our campaign

Addressing obesity will be impossible without the recognition and support of healthcare workers. You have a powerful opportunity to raise awareness and transform health outcomes for many, many people. You can use our campaign resources in all sorts of ways to spread the word:

Hold conversations with colleagues
Train and educate colleagues using readymade resources
Print and display information
Spread the word on social media
Share your story

Find campaign tips and resources

Join your local community

Obesity organisations, coalitions and patient groups are in action all over the world. Connect with your local group today.

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What is happening near you?

Browse our interactive map to find activities, events, and stories in your area – and feel free to share your own!

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