Philosophers' Café: Can We Promote Health Without Reinforcing Weight Stigma?

The Philosophers' Café is a public forum in which community members discuss interesting contemporary issues in a relaxed and informal setting. Dr. Greg Ruegsegger will lead the discussion. Here is the abstract:

Body weight is often treated as evidence not only of health, but also of a person’s choices, self-discipline, and responsibility. But what does body size actually tell us about a person? When does concern about health become judgment, and can health risks be discussed without reinforcing harmful stereotypes? Beginning with research on weight bias, this conversation will explore why body size carries moral meaning, how we assign responsibility for health, and whether health promotion can respect the dignity, autonomy, and experiences of people across the weight spectrum.

Join us for some fun discussion! Everyone is welcome!