Practitioners’ worries of stigma in interventions promoting healthy weight among children
Abstract Over the past decades, the focus of obesity prevention has shifted from individual behavioural changes to addressing broader systemic factors, particularly among children. Obesity is widely recognised as a complex condition influenced by psychosocial factors, genetics, and obesogenic enviro...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Discover Health Systems |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44250-025-00287-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Over the past decades, the focus of obesity prevention has shifted from individual behavioural changes to addressing broader systemic factors, particularly among children. Obesity is widely recognised as a complex condition influenced by psychosocial factors, genetics, and obesogenic environments. As public health interventions increasingly target structural changes to create environments that support healthy weight development, it is essential to examine how systemic interventions are put into practice, particularly from the perspective of the professionals responsible for their implementation. Our study explores practitioners’ experiences with implementing the Child Life in Healthy Balance programme, a systemic, community-based health promotion programme aimed at supporting healthy weight development in children. We examine how practitioners navigate the implementation process, including the challenges and unintended consequences they encounter. Qualitative data were collected between 2020 and 2024 through 46 semi-structured interviews with practitioners from various sectors, including educators, health professionals, school staff, project leaders, and community representatives. Additionally, 44 participant observations were conducted in daycare centres, schools, and at key programme events. Using thematic analysis, we identified three key themes regarding practitioners’ perspectives on the programme’s implementation: (1) concerns about weight stigmatisation, (2) disagreements over the allocation of responsibility, and (3) the role of personal attitudes and societal norms. While intended as a systemic, health-promoting programme, its weight-centered framing raised concerns among practitioners, particularly about stigma and potential harm to children’s well-being. These concerns align with research showing that weight stigma correlates with unhealthy behaviours, including reduced physical activity and emotional eating. Rather than viewing these concerns as implementation challenges, we argue they should be seen as ethical objections to weight-focused interventions. Given the strong cultural stigma around body weight, weight-centered public health interventions risk exacerbating the very issues they seek to address. We suggest shifting towards broader, health promotional approaches that fosters healthy behaviours without reinforcing stigma. |
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| ISSN: | 2731-7501 |