Ending Weight Stigma: Priorities for Action

Weight bias is a social justice issue that negatively affects the lives of many individuals worldwide. Individuals who live in larger bodies are often the subject of discrimination due to the negative weight-related attitudes that are widely accepted in society. Researchers at Concordia University and Université Laval, in partnership with the School of Health at Concordia, are planning to host the 2024 International Weight Bias Summit. This event is dedicated to fostering meaningful collaborations among weight bias researchers, enhancing research output and outreach efforts to address weight bias on a global scale. 

For this live keynote panel, renowned weight bias research experts will gather to disseminate the research and advocacy initiatives in this field of research, and to discuss future research directions that aim to make strides in advocacy for individuals with lived experiences of weight bias, stigma, and discrimination. The live discussion will address how to implement impactful research strategies that will make meaningful changes in clinical practice, policy changes, and advocacy initiatives, with a focus on the necessary actions to advance research in this field. 

Schedule below: 

How can you participate? Join us in person or online by registering for the Zoom Meeting or watching live on YouTube.

Have questions? Send them to info.4@concordia.ca  

Dr. Ximena Ramos Salas, Bias180

Dr. Ramos Salas has a PhD in public health and 20+ years’ experience in health research and policy (Can. Inst. of Health Research) and obesity education, advocacy, and patient engagement (Obesity Canada). As a weight stigma and obesity expert she works with several international organizations such as the European Ass. for the Study of Obesity and the World Health Organization. She coordinated the 2020 Canadian Adult Obesity Management Clinical Practice Guidelines, which used a patient-centred approach and provided recommendations to reduce weight stigma

Dr. Rebecca Puhl, University of Connecticut

Dr. Rebecca Puhl is Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Connecticut where she is also the Deputy Director for the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health. Dr. Puhl earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yale University. She has authored 200+ research publications on the impact of weight stigma on emotional and physical health, the nature of weight-based bullying in youth, weight bias in health care and the media, interventions to reduce societal weight bias, and policy remedies to prohibit weight discrimination. Outside of academia, Dr. Puhl works with national and international organizations to increase education about weight stigma and implement stigma-reduction strategies in healthcare, the mass media, and policy.

Dr. Stuart Flint, University of Leeds

Dr. Stuart W. Flint is Associate Professor at the University of Leeds, President of Scaled Insights and an Honorary Academic for the Department of Health and Social Care (UK Government), with a specific interest and expertise in attitude and behaviour change, psychosocial aspects of obesity, health-related stigma and discrimination – particularly weight stigma and discrimination - and health inequalities. He has led work internationally, nationally and regionally with governments, health systems, education providers, media organisations, patient and public advocacy groups and within the general population. This includes public health policy development, research and evaluation and campaigns, education for healthcare professionals, media and policymaker guidelines, and public health service guidance for addressing weight stigma. Dr Flint has published widely in high impact journals including the Lancet, BMJ and Nature Medicine, and is a contributing member to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Obesity and APPG on a Fit and Healthy Childhood in the UK.

Lisa Schaffer, Executive Director at Obesity Canada (Moderator) 

Prior to her new position as the Executive Director at Obesity Canada, Lisa Schaffer has been a dedicated volunteer for nearly eight years, she has served as a patient advocate, Chair of the Public Engagement Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors. She has also worked extensively with national clinical obesity experts from across the country. The business acumen Lisa has developed over the years and the strong connections she has made with the obesity community, particularly with people with lived experience, clinicians and researchers, are crucial skills that embody Obesity Canada’s mission to impact the lives of Canadians.

Dr. Angela Alberga PhD, Co-Chair

Dr. Marilou Côté PhD, Co-Chair

Rebecca Puhl, PhD

Brad Hussey, BA

Ximena Ramos Salas, PhD

Ian Patton, PhD

Hiba Jebeile, PhD

Mary Himmelstein, PhD

Vida Forouhar, MSc

Sarah Nutter, PhD

Aurélie Baillot, PhD

Shelly Russell-Mayhew, PhD

Sabrina Sacco, BA

Taniya Nagpal, PhD

Kimm Carrière, PhD

Angela Incollingo-Rodriguez, PhD

Event Partners The School of Health, Dr. Veronique Pepin, Interim Dean of Concordia University’s School of Health

Event Funders: 

Concordia Univesity, The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, The World Obesity Federation, The European Association on the Study of Obesity, Obesity Canada, The Obesity Society, Université Laval, Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels and Université Laval Centre NUTRISS – Nutrition, santé, et société.