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May 2021
38m 12s

177: The Science & Culture of Obesity (P...

Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RD, CDE
About this episode

Despite understanding the complexities of obesity and efforts to curb obesity, rates continue to rise. Our current approach is inadequate with a siloed and mechanistic healthcare system, polarized perspectives on body acceptance and diet culture, and a lack of knowledge or access to treatment options and improved outcomes.

This two-part podcast series addresses the science and social science of obesity with a goal of changing how we see, prevent and treat obesity by helping people with obesity see their weight and weight management differently, and helping physicians and other healthcare professionals gain a more robust understanding of obesity and talk with their patients about obesity differently.  

Tune in to this episode to learn about:

  • How semiotics – the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation – can inform the obesity conversation
  • The impact of dominant and normalized images of obesity in today’s culture
  • The influence of Implicit and explicit values
  • The many factors contributing to the gap between popular culture and clinical discourse regarding obesity
  • How COVID-19 has brought obesity into the spotlight and what potential implications are
  • Insights from social sciences to help move the obesity conversation forward and improve obesity care

Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/177

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