Educate the Media

In the U.S., the media is tremendously influential. Encourage your local media to produce accurate stories on obesity. Do not hesitate to contact local newspaper reporters and/or television health reporters and share your story. Try to build a good relationship with the local media by providing accurate information and timely responses. If you see a story, television show or article and believe it was inaccurate, one-sided and/or added to the negative stigma of obesity, write or call the media outlet and share your concerns.

The general public is bombarded on a daily basis by images and stories from the media. Many of them are one-sided or inaccurate. Reach out to your local media and encourage them to portray obesity and its complications accurately. We also suggest you subscribe to the OAC’s electronic newsletter, Obesity Action Alert, to stay up-to-date on the latest major media stories on obesity.