To date, there has been relatively limited research, discussion and policy focus on adolescent obesity yet one in seven 15 years olds in Europe has overweight or has obesity.
Young adults with obesity are continuously stigmatised, and ‘blamed’ for their weight. A prime example of the weight bias and stigma is prevalent in the images used by the media. Currently teenagers with obesity are not receiving the support, guidance, treatment and care that has been indicated in the ACTION Teens study 2022, Lund University study 2021, and the international project called ‘Confronting obesity: Co-creating policy with youth’ (COCREATE) 2021.
This Campaign will a focus on the real lived experiences of teenagers across Europe who are living with or affected by overweight or obesity.
We have been engaging with young adults from Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Ireland who have come together to discuss how THEY feel about their experiences with obesity.
What is involved in the Campaign?
The first of a series of podcasts will be shared this Friday morning on Spotify, Apple and Google moderated by ECPO representative from Bulgaria, Konstantin Voynikov.
A Patient Lounge will broadcast at 2-3pm BST / 15.00-16.00 CEST
Hosted by Vicki Mooney, she will be joined by:
Award winning photographer Abbie Trayler-Smith for her Big O project,
EASOs Professor Jason Halford,
Young representative from Bulgaria, Konstantin Voynikov, the podcast host.
Parent and advocate Melanie Bahlke
Mario Silva, Executive President of the Portuguese Association against Childhood Obesity
Susie Birney ECPO Secretary
To join you can use this link and add in your email address to join the live session or it will be available to view on ECPOs Facebook Page after the event. https://ecpopatientlounge.com/
Find the campaign details here: www.ecpomedia.org
Social Media Accounts here:
ECPObesity (@ecpobesity) • Instagram photos and videos
Infographics will be posted throughout the day including one on self-esteem created by the ECPO stigma working group and favourites chosen by the teens. You are able to view the infographics here. As we receive edits back from the printing company throughout today, this page will be uploaded with all translations requested. Currently we have translations uploading in
- Italian
- German
- French
- Portuguese
- Slovak
- Spanish
- Hungarian
The latest ECPO Magazine will be published – view it here
In collaboration with Future Medicine Publications and the ACTION TEENS steering committee, a Plain Language Summary of ACTION TEENS will be published led by Vicki Mooney, author.
You can view the PLS here now! www.futuremedicine.com/doi/epdf/10.2217/cer-2022-0164
To follow and support the campaign you can use the hashtags:
#EuroYouth
#HearTheYouth
#LivingWithObesity
To create the most awareness, impact and education we need help from everyone to share this campaign as wide and far as possible. Together we are stronger.
