Love and compassion in obesity treatment could complement clinical approaches

A Perspective in the International Journal of Obesity argues that directing love and compassion inward and outward can complement traditional obesity treatments, and that stigma- or shame-based approaches may undermine motivation, mental health, and physiological stress responses.

Global obesity rates continue to rise despite decades of research and many interventions. Traditional treatment models have emphasized calorie restriction, exercise, and individual self-control, often framing obesity as a matter of personal willpower. The Perspective notes that this focus can overlook emotional, relational, and social influences on health, and proposes that love and compassion—applied inwardly and outwardly—can complement individual and community strategies. It also reports that stigma and shame associated with weight can harm motivation and wellbeing and affect physiological stress pathways. Key points: - Global obesity rates are increasing despite many interventions. - Traditional approaches commonly stress calorie control, exercise, and personal responsibility. - The article proposes that directing love and compassion toward oneself and others can complement clinical and community strategies. - Weight stigma and internalized stigma are reported to undermine motivation, predict poorer mental health, and activate stress responses linked to cortisol and inflammation. Summary: The Perspective suggests that centring love and compassion in clinical and community approaches could reduce stigma and support more sustainable health-related behaviors within broader social and environmental contexts. Undetermined at this time.