Health · Medical Research · 2 hrs ago
Experts urge scrutiny of commercial interests in anti-obesity stigma campaigns
Researchers from a Liverpool health group warn that anti-obesity campaigns need scrutiny for possible commercial interests.
Their comments appeared in the British Medical Journal.
They point to a UK campaign called “Obesity is a disease,” launched by a company that makes medicines for obesity and diabetes.
The campaign says obesity is complex and not a failure of willpower, and urges people to check their body mass index and speak with a specialist.
The researchers say much of its message about stigma is true, but that it can also benefit the company commercially.
They warn that commercial influence can be harder to spot when framed as compassion, and could shape public debate and national policy.
The main concern is that obesity is treated only as a clinical problem, drawing attention and resources away from deeper causes such as poverty, food environments and urban planning.
The researchers say scrutiny of company-backed campaigns is needed, while noting that obesity medicines can benefit patients who qualify for them.
Experts urge careful scrutiny of pharmaceutical-company campaigns against obesity stigma because commercial interests may shape public debate and national policy.
The authors say the campaigns can make scientifically grounded points while also benefiting companies that sell obesity treatments.
They cite a UK campaign called “Obesity is a disease,” launched by a company that makes drugs for obesity and diabetes.
The authors say the main risk is that obesity is treated only as a clinical issue, diverting attention and resources from its deeper causes.
- Who
- A team led by Michael Viggars of the Health Equalities Group in Liverpool.
- What
- The experts say campaigns against obesity stigma should be assessed for possible commercial interests.
- When
- The article was published on 12 November 2026.
- Where
- The cited campaign was launched in the United Kingdom.
- Why
- The authors warn that companies could influence public debate and national policy, while a clinical focus could draw attention away from underlying causes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A pharmaceutical company launched the “Obesity is a disease” campaign in the United Kingdom.
An article by the Health Equalities Group team was published in the British Medical Journal.
- Article publication
- 12 November 2026
- Lead author
- Michael Viggars
- Research group
- Health Equalities Group, Liverpool
- Campaign
- Obesity is a disease
- Campaign location
- United Kingdom
- Campaign sponsor
- A company that makes drugs for obesity and diabetes
What people are saying
It is much harder to identify commercial influence when it is wrapped in the language of compassion and stigma elimination, concepts that public health has promoted for years.
This is how the commercial determinants of health manifest themselves in their most subtle form.