PEOPLE-FIRST LANGUAGE FOR OBESITY Bias and discrimination can be shown in many ways, but one of the most popular ways it is shown is through the absence of people-first language. Labeling individuals as "obese" creates negative feelings toward individuals with obesity and perpetuates weight bias. It is time to recognize the importance of people-first language and the influence it has on people who are affected by obesity. Referring to The rules of APA Style Feldman and individuals as "obese" calls for language in all colleagues1 found that has been shown to publications to “put people-first language influence how people first, not affects attitudes and individuals feel about their disability” and behavioral intentions their condition and to “not label people toward persons with how likely they are to by their disability.” disabilities. seek medical care. 21% 19% Example of using people-first of people report of people report that language: that they would seek they would avoid future a new doctor if they “The woman was affected by medical appointments if felt a doctor has obesity.” instead of “The their doctor stigmatized stigmatized them woman was obese.” them about their weight.2 about weight.2 We call upon authors and editors of scholarly research, scientific writing, and publications about obesity to use the same rules that are the norm for referring to individuals with other disabilities, diseases, and health conditions: the use of people-first language. Using first person-language can help prevent bias and discrimination. For more information on why weight bias is harmful, please visit StopWeightBias.com. References: 1 Feldman D, Gordon PA, and Weber C. The Effects of People-First Language and Demographic Variables on Beliefs, Attitudes, and Behavioral Intentions Toward People with Disabilities. J Appl Rehab Counsel. 2002;33(3):18-49 2 Puhl, R., Peterson, J. & Luedicke, J. Motivating or stigmatizing? Public perceptions of weight-related language used by health providers. Int J Obes 37, 612–619 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/i-jo.2012.110 ABOUT THE OAC The Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) is a more than 75,000 member-strong 501(c)(3) National non-profit organization dedicated to giving a voice to the individual affected by the disease of obesity and helping individuals along their journey toward better health through education, advocacy and support. Our core focuses are to raise awareness and improve access to the prevention and treatment of obesity, provide evidence-based education on obesity and its treatments, fight to eliminate weight bias and discrimination, elevate the conversation of weight and its impact on health and offer a community of support for the individual affected. ObesityAction.org