Professor David Sánchez-Carracedo contributes to a new Public Health resource promoting weight stigma-free physical activity
The Secretariat of Public Health of the Department of Health of the Generalitat of Catalonia has published No Body Left Out of the Game, a new tool developed in the framework of the Child Obesity Prevention and Treatment Program in Catalonia (POICAT) with the objective of promoting a practice of physical and sports activity free of stigma due to weight. Professor David Sánchez-Carracedo, from the Department of Clinical Psychology and Health at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, has collaborated in the revision of the document.
Weight stigma is a major barrier to participation in physical activity and sport. Scientific evidence shows that it can lead to discrimination, shame, and social exclusion, negatively affecting both physical and emotional well-being and, in many cases, contributing to the abandonment of physical activity. In response to this challenge, No Body Left Out of the Game provides guidance for public administrations, organisations, sports centres, and educational institutions to help them identify and implement measures that foster more inclusive, safe, and body-diverse environments.
The resource organises its recommendations into three areas of action: facilities and services, culture and communication, and people and interpersonal interactions. Proposed measures include adapting facilities and equipment to accommodate people of all body sizes and shapes, promoting inclusive and non-stigmatising language, representing body diversity in communication materials, providing training for professionals, and establishing protocols to prevent and address weight-based discrimination.
Professor Sánchez-Carracedo's contribution to this initiative builds on his long-standing research on weight stigma and its impact on health. His work has helped generate scientific evidence on this issue and has contributed to the development of strategies aimed at preventing weight stigma in healthcare, educational, and sports settings.
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