Obesity: let’s stop pointing the people for their weight, pleads an expert

Exclude certain factors explaining the increase in body weight “could have more consequences than benefits for public health”. In addition, believes a researcher, who calls into question the relevance of an article on the issue.

Monday, which demonstrates that the country’s obesity rates increased faster during the pandemic than in the previous 11 years.

The researchers examined the body mass index (BMI) of 746. For example, 250 Canadians aged 18 and over, a data however considered to be “obsolete” by a large part of the scientific community, including Benoit Arsenault, professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Laval University and researcher at the University Institute of Cardiology and Pneumology in Quebec (IUCPQ).

We identify teleworking. Nevertheless, closing sports centers, stress and increased mental health problems to explain the increase in the obesity rate in the obesity: let’s stop pointing people country.

“This type of article could have more consequences than benefits for public health,” insists the expert.

Courtesy photo of Benoit Arsenault

“I have the impression that we use a scientific article like this to point the finger at people for their weight and that we do not ask questions about the causes underlying what we see now. Furthermore, We speak of the lips of all the loneliness that confinement has created. social inequalities in health, stress, anxiety that can lead some people to find refuge in food, “he continues.

According to him. the article of the Crown Company misses the real causes obesity: let’s stop pointing people which can explain the increase in the body weight of the population from the pandemic.

“In the article, […] We are not talking about the increase in the cost of the grocery basket which is largely responsible for what we see currently. which makes people have more and more misery to ensure, for themselves and their families, a diversified, quality and balanced diet, “he explains.

Some more vulnerable groups – Obesity: let's stop pointing people

Obesity: let&#039. s stop pointing people

The scientific article also concludes that non-banish women and people are more affected by the increase in obesity rates.

“We have not asked ourselves questions about social inequalities in health. on vulnerable populations, why it affects women more, why it affects non-banish people more,” regrets Benoit Arsenault about the Radio-Canada article.

“It should be remembered that these are issues that are much wider than the simple individual will. You obesity: let’s stop pointing people have to be very cautious. a little more benevolence towards people who will read this article, ”says the researcher.

Rather than explaining these issues in depth. the article rather evokes the idea of improving access to education on nutrition, medication and bariatric surgeries, deplores the professor.

However. these methods can lead to many side effects, such as gastrointestinal disorders, a reduction in appetite, which can cause nutritional deficiencies in certain cases.

Scientists also targeted

It’s not just the journalistic work that disturbs Benoit Arsenault. He also questions the relevance of that of scientists.

According to the expert. even if a BMI -based study can be relevant when talking about an entire population, we must always consider the risk that the results be interpreted at an individual level, which can have real impacts.

“An article like this nourishes prejudices. contributes to the fact that we perceive obesity as a problem of obesity: let’s stop pointing people individual responsibility and that, that has real consequences,” concludes the researcher.