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An editorial is presented on the importance of using people-first language in addressing weight bias and stigma in childhood overweight and obesity. Topics include the negative consequences of weight bias and stigma on children's health and well-being; and the adoption and enforcement of people-first language policies in academic research, healthcare settings, media, and public discourse surrounding childhood obesity.

Weight discrimination is the unjust treatment of individuals because of their weight. There have been very few interventions to address weight discrimination, due in part to the lack of consensus on key messages and strategies. The objective of the third Canadian Weight Bias Summit was to review current evidence and move towards consensus on key weight bias and obesity discrimination reduction messages and strategies. Using a modified brokered dialogue approach, participants, including researchers, health professionals, policy makers and people living with obesity, reviewed the evidence and moved towards consensus on key messages and strategies for future interventions. Participants agreed to these key messages: (1) Weight bias and obesity discrimination should not be tolerated in education, health care and public policy sectors; (2) obesity should be recognized and treated as a chronic disease in health care and policy sectors; and (3) in the education sector, weight and health need to be decoupled. Consensus on future strategies included (1) creating resources to support policy makers, (2) using personal narratives from people living with obesity to engage audiences and communicate anti-discrimination messages and (3) developing a better clinical definition for obesity. Messages and strategies should be implemented and evaluated using consistent theoretical frameworks and methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Obesity is associated with a wide range of chronic illnesses and disabilities familiar to rehabilitation researchers and practitioners. Obesity discourse in the area of rehabilitation science and practice is limited. Method. A meeting of rehabilitation researchers, practitioners, industry and decision makers was held for the purpose of identifying research and practice priorities in the area of bariatric rehabilitation. Results. Areas of common ground in terms of the identification of gaps in research, practice and knowledge about obesity in the context of rehabilitation science were identified. Participants developed a concept for a bariatric rehabilitation treatment and research institute. A commitment to embark on priority action items was made. Conclusions. This article describes a process that successfully gathered a diverse group of researchers, clinicians, industries and decision makers for the purpose of collectively advancing the area of bariatric rehabilitation in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]