Thursday Seminar: Jonathan Sholl

Presentation entitled: “In defense of medical models of obesity”. Abstract: “Despite numerous public health organizations considering recent obesity rates a health crisis, many researchers in the humanities, social sciences, and even in the health sciences, remain unconvinced. In this paper, we address a set of arguments criticizing medical models of obesity. In doing so, we aim to tease apart misunderstandings and argue that not only do these models not say what they are often accused of saying, but their apparent vices may actually be virtues in helping to combat stigma and increase empathy. Building on the social psychology of stigma and disease labeling, we suggest that current medical models are largely supportive of many moral and political aims promoted by critics of these models.”