‘Fat-shaming doesn’t work’ – Public Health chief urges compassionate approach

With more than a third of adults in parts of Worcestershire living with obesity, the county’s Director of Public Health, Dr Lisa McNally has called for a shift away from finger-pointing and shame – and towards practical, community-based support.

Speaking in response to new figures from Sport England’s Active Lives study, Dr McNally highlighted that Wyre Forest and Redditch currently have the highest obesity rates in the county, both at around 33 per cent, while Malvern Hills and Worcester are at the lower end, at approximately 25 per cent.

But regardless of location, she insists that the solution lies not in criticism, but in offering people more choice, more support and more respect.

“We have to stop wagging our fingers and moralising at people because they smoke or because they’re overweight,” she said. “Instead, we need to work with the communities where they live and empower them to make changes that work for them.”

Worcestershire County Council is putting this into practice through a range of initiatives, including free weight-loss programmes and expanded access to Slimming World via 2,000 new vouchers issued through local GPs and healthcare professionals.

Dr McNally reported encouraging uptake, with around 70 referrals a month and a growing awareness among healthcare providers. “People are welcoming of the support,” she said.

The council is also investing in physical activity schemes such as walking groups, and hosting Healthy Worcestershire sessions aimed at improving wellbeing in a supportive environment. In May, walk leaders from across the county were celebrated for their contribution to physical and mental health at a special event at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Dr McNally believes this inclusive, person-centred approach is key to sustainable health improvement. “We’ve got to stop telling people what to do. Instead, we should ask what they want, and then fund those ideas – put our money where our mouth is,” she said.

She warned that “fat-shaming” not only fails to inspire change, but can have long-term damaging consequences, especially for young people.

“We know from research that children who are fat-shamed are more likely to develop problems with their weight in adulthood – whether that’s an eating disorder or obesity. Fat-shaming doesn’t motivate people, it just makes them angry or depressed.”