Weight stigma and redefining healthy

Population Healthy

In this episode we’re exploring the impact of weight-centric perspectives on public health. Kendrin Sonneville, an associate professor of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, is working against a status quo that focuses on weight as a primary indicator of health. She sheds light on the historical basis of weight bias and walks us through why some of our most relied upon measures, like the Body Mass Index (BMI), are not useful health indicators. Sonneville hopes deemphasizing weight in public health discussions can help combat poor health outcomes relating to weight stigma.
Drawing from her research and experience as a registered dietitian, Sonneville emphasizes the negative impact of weight stigma on mental health, especially among college students, and advocates for a shift towards a more inclusive perspective. She explains how a weight-inclusive framework can foster a more compassionate approach to public health.