Obesity is now known to be a major risk factor for several types of cancer, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer, according to studies conducted since 2003. While not everyone who is obese will develop cancer, the risk is greatly increased.
Traditional African and Inuit diets were found to have protective effects against cancer, with low occurrences of colon cancer. However, when transitioning to a Western diet, cancer rates increased. The difference in soil and diet composition may be key factors in understanding the protective effects.
The speaker discusses the negative impact shame can have on weight loss and how being overweight is becoming less stigmatized. She believes that individuals should not be shamed for their weight and that successful weight loss should not be achieved through shame.
A study showed that images paired with a news story matter more than the text of the news story when it comes to shaping people's perceptions of fat people, leading to higher levels of anti-fat bias for those who viewed negative or stereotypical images.
The narrative that lifestyle is the sole risk factor for diseases is problematic, especially when it overlooks societal factors like discrimination against certain groups. It's important to critically examine health and wellness messages and understand their underlying implications.
The framing around obesity has affected our belief system regarding the state of health, and how societies towards fat people. The biased information and beliefs that have been consumed uncritically play a significant role in the fundamental issue that makes people more massive.