World Obesity Day: Ending Stigma. Supporting Whole-Person Wellbeing.
- Shane Warren
- Mar 4
- 2 min read
MEDIA RLEASE / AWARENESS STATEMENT
For Immediate Release
4 March 2026
On World Obesity Day, the Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) recognises that obesity is not solely a physical health issue, it is deeply connected to mental wellbeing, social determinants, and lived experience.
For many individuals, the journey with weight is shaped not only by biology, but also by trauma, stress, socioeconomic pressures, cultural expectations, medication effects, and psychological factors. Yet too often, the public conversation remains narrow, judgmental, or overly simplified.
Weight stigma is real. It contributes to anxiety, depression, social isolation, disordered eating patterns, and avoidance of healthcare. Research consistently shows that stigma worsens health outcomes rather than improving them.
VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren said:
“When we reduce obesity to willpower or personal failure, we overlook the complex emotional and environmental factors that shape health. Compassion is more effective than criticism. Sustainable wellbeing begins with dignity, not shame.”
Mental health support plays a crucial role in addressing obesity in a holistic and sustainable way. Emotional regulation, trauma-informed care, behavioural support, and social connection are powerful components of any long-term health journey.
Importantly, wellbeing is not defined by a number on a scale. It includes psychological safety, body respect, access to healthcare, community belonging, and freedom from discrimination.
On World Obesity Day, VMHPAA calls for:
Greater recognition of the mental health dimensions of obesity
Reduction of stigma in healthcare, media, and public discourse
Integrated models of care that address both physical and psychological wellbeing
Compassionate, evidence-informed approaches to behaviour change
Respectful conversations that prioritise dignity
Creating healthier communities requires more than advice, it requires empathy.
Today, we encourage Australians to replace judgment with understanding and to recognise that sustainable health outcomes grow from support, not shame.
If you or someone you know is struggling with weight-related distress, anxiety, body image concerns, or emotional eating, please know that help is available. Reaching out is a sign of strength.
Together, we can create a culture that supports wellbeing, inside and out.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
Susan Sandy, Secretary
Philip Armstrong, CEO
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