Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

There is clear evidence that the obesity prevalence in Canada has dramatically risen in recent decades however the cause and severity of this observation is a popular topic of debate. Accompanying the trend in rising body weight has been the emergence of two contrasting views. On one hand some academics and clinicians have expressed the need to identify obesity as a disease in an attempt to appropriately diagnose and manage the condition. However, on the other hand, there is an emerging 'Health at every size' movement that believes that excess body weight is not a disease, but rather a naturally occurring phenomenon as a result of the environment which we live and believes that strictly focusing on body weight alone has the potential to do more damage to public health. Although there is ample support in the scientific literature from both camps, a consensus is lacking which may leave the public to affirm their own existing biases without relying on sound evidence. The proposed Café Scientifique hopes to educate the public at large about both views and provide them with evidence in accessible, intimate, non-intimidating format so they too can form their own conclusions about this complex condition. We have received confirmation from two internationally renowned obesity experts as well as the champion of the 'Health at every size' movement to engage in an interactive scientific out reach activity. Overall, our intended outcomes of the Café are to dispel any myths that the general public may believe about individuals struggling with weight in an attempt to eliminate any weight-based bias or discrimination that would further prevent individuals struggling with weight to gain proper access to care and the respect they deserve as human beings.