World Health Organization
Governance for public health across the health and allied sectors: a report to guide country-level institutional capacity for essential public health functions underpinning multisectoral approaches
Report
15 Nov 2025
25 Feb 2023
Weight stigma, defined as pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes associated with higher body weight, is both a social determinant of health and a human rights issue. It is imperative to consider how weight stigma may be impeding health promotion efforts on a global scale. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) convened a global working group of practitioners, researchers, policymakers, youth advocates, and individuals with lived experience of obesity to consider the ways that global obesity narratives may contribute to weight stigma.