Supporting safe, responsible reporting about medically assisted weight loss

Australian media professionals now have access to a new guide featuring advice to support safe and responsible reporting about medically assisted weight loss.

The way stories about medically assisted weight loss are shared with the community can influence weight stigma, increase risks around eating disorders, and spread inaccurate information. Developed in partnership with the National Eating Disorders Collaboration, this free resource features advice designed to promote informed, health-focused, and supportive messaging that prioritises safety, inclusion, and overall wellbeing.

​ACCESS THIS FREE NEW RESOURCE HERE

This quick reference guide includes tips and sections such as: ​

• Accurately presenting benefits and risks using credible and independent sources.
• Avoiding glamourisation, sensationalism and oversimplification.
• Ways to reduce weight stigma.
• Providing social context to assist people in making informed decisions.
• Importance of highlighting diverse perspectives.
• Ways to promote help-seeking and how your audience can access credible advice and information.
• Guidance on appropriate images to include in reporting.
• Addressing how to minimise eating disorders risks.

Please use this guide in conjunction with the Mindframe resource Guidelines on reporting and portrayal of eating disorders and related Mindframe: Quick reference guide for reducing weight stigma.

Support services

It is important to provide relevant help-seeking and other support services, such as the Butterfly Foundation, when reporting on medically assisted weight loss. The following card contains a range of services and resources to consider including in your coverage and other public communication.

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Mindframe support for media

For free advice, including real-time support when reporting on eating disorders, weight stigma and medically assisted weight loss, call 02 4924 6900, visit mindframe.org.au or email mindframe@health.nsw.gov.au