Lord Robathan, a former Tory, Conservative minister for South Leicestershire from 1992-2010, said England’s anti-obesity plans and strategies had not produced enough results and it was time for people to take some “personal responsibility”.
In July 2020, the British government introduced an anti-obesity strategy that not only emphasized related health problems, but also highlighted it as a social issue. The publication claimed that losing weight is “not just about an individual’s effort”, but it also calls for making healthier food choices and better nutritional advice more accessible.
Read more: Weight loss: How to deal with a weight loss plateau in hypothyroidism
Addressing the House of Lords, Lord Robathan said, “I am glad that the Government recognizes this huge problem and the dangers overweight it brings, especially during Covid. But … strategy, as good as it can be, Not really working.”
“Isn’t it time, perhaps, to return to the situation when I was younger, when it was not socially acceptable to carry too much weight and pursue personal responsibility?” he questions.
In response to Lord Robathan, Health Minister Lord Kamal said, “One thing we should always be wary of about any strategy or program is the unintended consequences.”
He further adds that the government “doesn’t want to create more problems and worries and concerns for people suffering from eating disorders”.
Effects of weight stigma on mental health
Official reports suggest that 28% of adults in England are obese, almost double the rate from 15% since 1993. After the onset of COVID-19, more than 40% of adults in England gained weight, according to a survey by Public Health England. .
Similarly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. Of these, more than 650 million adults were obese.” “Overall, about 13% of the world’s adult population (11% men and 15% women) were obese in 2016,” the health agency says.
Having said that, obesity is equally prevalent in both adults and youth. Although it can lead to many chronic diseases, the stigma surrounding it can affect people’s mental health in many ways. While it can be treated and prevented, people dealing with obesity have to go through a lot of stereotypes and discrimination, which has become a growing issue.
Former minister Lord Robathan’s statement of obesity being “socially unacceptable” and urging the government to ask people to eat less could be counterproductive in many ways. No matter how good the intention, it can have a huge impact on the mental health of the people dealing with it.
Emphasizing ‘personal responsibility’ may have reverse psychological effects
When it comes to weight-related campaigns, policies, and initiatives, no matter how good the intention, the emphasis on personal responsibility can have a negative impact on people’s minds. This can backfire in the sense that people already struggling with obesity engage in activities that contribute to it. Eating disorders, overeating and avoiding exercise can be some of the problems that can actually arise.
England’s Health Minister Lord Lotus considered such incidents and said the government did not intend to “create more problems and worries and concerns for people with eating disorders”.
Several studies have also highlighted that weight stigmas often destroy a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Calling out people who are obese or overweight can sabotage their intention or effort to lead a healthy life. It may take more in return weight gain.
.