Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Leeds academic leading Parliament drop in session on obesity
It’s been organised by Leeds Beckett University and Helping Overcome Obesity Problems (HOOP UK).
The event will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear first-hand from patients living with obesity – particularly their experiences of weight stigma and discrimination. Organisers hope it will help dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about obesity.
Dr Stuart Flint, Senior Research Fellow in Public Health and Obesity at Leeds Beckett University, will present his parliamentary code of conduct which has been developed in conjunction with Andrew Selous MP and the APPG for Obesity. This is intended to inform parliamentarians and policymakers on how to communicate about people with obesity in a non-stigmatising manner.
Dr Flint said: “It’s vital if we are to overcome weight stigma and discrimination that we start at the top and make sure that the people making the decisions which affect us all have a full understanding of obesity and how the use of certain images and language can be detrimental to the wellbeing of those with obesity.”
Sarah Le Brocq, Director of HOOP UK said: “One of HOOP UK’s main aims is to reduce stigma in the UK. The complexity of obesity is not understood, therefore it is vital that policy makers understand this and can communicate it to the general public. Hopefully this will be a first step towards making this a reality.”