WELCOME TO THE TEAL RIBBON MOVEMENT
The Teal Ribbon Movement is an awareness initiative dedicated to improving understanding of obesity as a chronic disease, reducing stigma, and promoting evidence-based care.
Just as the Pink Ribbon has become a recognised symbol of breast cancer awareness around the world, the Teal Ribbon aspires to become a symbol of obesity awareness, compassion, dignity and hope.
Obesity affects millions of people and is associated with serious health conditions including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, infertility and certain cancers. Yet despite its prevalence and impact, obesity remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatised medical conditions.
The Teal Ribbon Movement was established to help change this narrative.
Our mission is to foster greater public understanding that obesity is a complex chronic disease influenced by biological, environmental, behavioural and societal factors. We believe that people living with obesity deserve respect, support and access to appropriate evidence-based treatment.
THE MOVEMENT IS GUIDED BY 3 CORE PRINCIPLES:
AWARENESS
To increase understanding of obesity, its causes, complications and impact on health and wellbeing.
DIGNITY
To reduce stigma, discrimination and weight bias, and to promote respectful, person-centred care.
TREATMENT
To improve awareness of evidence-based obesity treatment options, including lifestyle intervention, pharmacotherapy, endoscopic therapies and metabolic and bariatric surgery.
Together, we can build a future where obesity is understood, treated appropriately and discussed with the same compassion and seriousness as any other chronic disease.
Awareness. Dignity. Treatment.
What TEAL Means
