Augustus Gloop from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ursula from the Little Mermaid. Chunk from Goonies. What comes to mind when you think of these TV characters?
Characters affected by obesity in popular media are often portrayed as rude, aggressive, unintelligent, unhealthy and the target of ridicule and bullying. On news stories about weight or obesity-related conditions, often only a person’s body is shown and not their face.
If you haven’t noticed these trends, it’s not surprising. Weight stigma and bias are so common in our society that we often don’t know when we’re exposed to it. Yet, weight stigma can actually perpetuate and worsen health conditions for the children and adults we know and interact with.
In a blog for the Healthiest State Initiative, I offer four points you need to know to promote a healthier, more supportive community:
Advocates connect through a shared commitment to improve health outcomes.
Amal Barre's research and advocacy efforts address housing instability and the sense of belonging in the community.
How UpLift's collaboration with many partners led to greater impact
Working together to improve housing is leading to better health outcomes.
An incentive program has provided a model for increasing access to nutritious foods and improving health outcomes.
A needs assessment of Oakridge Neighborhood residents is informing ways to improve health and well-being
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An Iowa Doula Project is expanding community-based health care to improve Black maternal health outcomes.
How AMOS engaged hundreds of advocates to push for a children's mental health crisis response system
How support to Iowa Public Radio is building awareness of factors that influence well-being
New report highlights central Iowa Latinos contributions and disparities and elevates Latinx leaders
MercyOne's community health worker model improves outcomes for families.
Outcomes from Mid-Iowa Health Foundation's HealthConnect Fellowship, October 2019-June 2021
How nonprofit leaders brought attention to the Latinx community and built new systems of support during the pandemic
uVoice high school students commit to learning about and addressing issues, including vaping and racial justice, in central Iowa.
dsm Magazine features a unique collaboration that is engaging youth who’ve experienced homelessness in identifying new solutions to address this issue in central Iowa.
Teenagers in jumpsuits lying on yoga mats, their eyes closed, their bodies still. This is the image Megan Hoxhalli describes as remarkable for juvenile detention, a place where youth arrive shaken, dysregulated, and scared about their future.
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