CW: Weigh-ins, equating weight and health
In case you missed it: I’m mad. I’m mad that Omada, a company that pushes weight loss under the guise of “helping people control chronic health conditions” is doing as well as it is. I’m mad that people continue to confuse weight and health. I’m mad that workplaces feel justified pushing people into programs like this to try to save a few bucks. So, what do I do when I’m mad? I deface something!
This blog has previously discussed Omada, and ever since researching Omada, today’s defaced image has haunted me. My guess is that Omada has this dynamic map showing most recent weigh-ins on the website’s front page to show potential customers how widespread and active the company’s program is.
I, on the other hand, find it depressing. There is no good evidence that weight loss leads to increased health or that long-term weight loss is even possible for the majority of people. However, there is evidence that healthy habits lead to health. So when I look at that map, I see people being duped into believing the number on the scale (THAT GETS SENT TO THEIR DIGITAL HEALTH COACH AUTOMATICALLY) reflects their health. I see people being told to focus on that number instead of how they feel. I see people being coached to believe that their weight is the most important thing that they can and should control. And then I get mad.
And then I deface things.
