Media & Research Roundup - July 2026

Jul 30

*[Accessibility description: A photo of four people in a laboratory, all wearing white coats, gathered around notebooks, appearing in mid-discussion.]*

By Bill and Terri Weitze

CONTENT NOTE: Some articles featured in the Media & Research Roundup may refer to stigmatizing events or use stigmatizing language. Websites hosting the articles linked below may allow advertisements for weight loss products and/or otherwise problematic ads.

June 2026: A study published in Stigma and Health finds that just stepping on a scale in a healthcare setting can promote sustained levels of systolic blood pressure.

June 2026: After reports of Southwest Airlines new seating policy being applied inconsistently, Southwest has gone back, at least partially, to providing passengers with a free additional seat if one is available. Passengers are still encouraged to purchase a second seat if needed, and they can apply for a refund provided certain criteria are met. More information about how to prepare for the current policies is available at naafa.org/southwest.

June 8, 2026: Diabetes UK introduces a new tool, BLAME, an acronym for “blaming, labeling, assumptions, misconceptions, and emphasis” and is meant to remind nurses to avoid stigmatizing or dehumanizing language.

June 9, 2026: Commenting on a recent study, Raghuveer Vedala, MD, FAAFP, DABOM, says it is time for the very real problems caused by weight bias and stigma in healthcare settings to be addressed.

June 10, 2026: Scammers and fraudsters are jumping on the weight-loss band wagon, offering fake technology, patches, injections, pills, etc. for products touting weight loss. This article helps with how to spot the scams and what you can do about it.

June 11, 2026: Fat trans people discuss their personal battles when it comes to the intersection of fat oppression and trans oppression.

June 14, 2026: Virgie Tovar, writing for ForbesWomen, discusses the implications and the problems associated with the term “ghost fat”, which people are using to describe people who have lost weight but perceive themselves to be larger.

June 18, 2026: A study of Spanish healthcare professionals finds that weight bias and stigma are present and may contribute to inappropriate healthcare and unfair treatment of fat patients.

June 24, 2026: The University of Rochester provides students with “Don’t Weigh Me” cards to combat weight stigma and has web pages dedicated to fighting fatphobia.