Media Guidelines for Discussing Health and Obesity

The National Eating Disorders Association and the STOP Obesity Alliance have released guidelines for the media and its coverage of health, weight, and obesity issues. The recommendations are the result of a discussion held earlier this year with panelists such as plus-sized model Emme, WCBS-TV medical reporter Dr. Max Gomez,  Glamour magazine’s deputy editor Wendy Nagle, and president of the Obesity Society, Dr. Donna Ryan.

The guidelines state that the media is a “key source” of information on the topics of health and weight that should inform the resource community about what the public is saying and educate the public on the issues. Moreover, media sources and the private sector should do their parts separately as well as collaborate on the discussion.

Finally, the guidelines outline some of the ways to address the issue, such as “Focus on modest weight loss as a way to improve health for the overweight and obese,” and “Convey that personal responsibility is important for weight control but is only one part of the solution for achieving a healthy weight.”

The organizations and Chandler Chicco Agency (which works with the STOP Obesity Alliance) are working on plans for another discussion in Washington D.C. in February. The complete guidelines are available on the STOP Obesity Alliance homepage.