The Media Empathy Foundation recently released a report and held a panel discussion spotlighting weight stigma in popular culture. The Media Empathy Spotlight Series is an initiative created to uncover weight stigma in television, film, news, advertisements and social media. The series addresses the hurtful and harmful portrayals of people with larger bodies in mainstream media.

Patty Nece, JD, Chair of the Obesity Action Coalition and passionate advocate, participated in the panel discussion with leaders in academia, medicine and media industries. The OAC is thrilled to see a board member join in on the powerful conversation, as putting an end to weight bias is a key part of our mission.

When reflecting on the topic, Patty said, “As an advocate, my passion is weight bias and reducing it. So much about weight bias underlies all the decisions that are made that affect people of size – how they’re employed, the healthcare they receive. Every aspect of society is affected by weight bias, and that’s why getting people to realize the harms of it and to just afford people of size dignity and respect.”

The Media Empathy foundation is a nonprofit organization created to fight disease-related stigma, with a mission to “drive change in culture, conversation and perceptions around stigmatized diseases and to remove barriers to care for those affected.” According to Media Empathy’s website, disease-related stigma is defined as the label, bias, stereotypes, discrimination and/or prejudice against people who are identified with certain health conditions.

To learn more about Media Empathy Foundation, please visit MediaEmpathy.org, and click here to read The Media Empathy Report: Spotlight on Weight Stigma.

To learn more about the OAC’s Stop Weight Bias campaign, please visit StopWeightBias.com.