03/09/2026
“This is not your fault.”
It might be one of the most powerful things I can say to a client.
Blame has never been an effective treatment for obesity.
Obesity is complex.
It is not simply about willpower or motivation.
Obesity is influenced by:
☑️Genetics
Our biology can influence appetite, hunger, satiety and how our bodies store energy.
☑️ Biology
Weight regulation is driven by powerful hormonal and neurological systems.
☑️Food Environment
We live in an environment where highly palatable, energy-dense foods are widely available, heavily marketed and often cheaper and more convenient.
☑️Income
Food choices don’t happen in a vacuum. Household income, food insecurity, time and access all influence what is realistically possible.
☑️Social circumstances
Where we live, work, grow up and the opportunities available to us all matter.
☑️ Medications and health conditions can also influence weight.
☑️ Psychology, stress, sleep and life experiences can affect eating behaviours and weight regulation.
And these factors overlap.
My role isn’t to judge someone for their weight.
It is to understand the person sitting in front of me, explore the factors affecting their health and provide evidence-based, compassionate support.
Because weight stigma doesn’t treat obesity.
Compassion, understanding and appropriate evidence-based care can.
