Fat-fighting comic comes to Gosport

The average comic book is full of super-athletic heroes in muscle-hugging costumes. But an award-winning health expert is coming to Gosport with a very different comic — one where all the heroes are fighting fat.

Dr Oli Williams, research associate at the University of Leicester, will be discussing his comic, ‘The Weight Of Expectation,’ illustrated by award-winning artist Jade Sarson. The book documents Dr Williams year-long project with three weight-loss groups in one of the most deprived parts of the UK.

Dr Williams hopes to challenge stereotypes around weight and health, calling current definitions “very crude.”

‘Body-mass-index — BMI — is a very crude indicator of health. If you are physically active, you can be obese and healthy,’ he said.

Dr Williams’ work comes as new data reveals that more than 36% of Year Six pupils in Portsmouth are overweight. According to the World Health Association, more than 25 per cent of adults in the UK are obese.

Dr Williams, 30, said: ‘I used to train at the Mountbatten Centre, and I used to work in the Spirit Health Club.

‘As a local boy, I’m aware a lot of people are struggling with this issue.’

Earlier this year, Dr Williams’ work to make his research more accessible received a British Science Association award, previously won by Professor Brian Cox.

The Leicester-based sociologist said: ‘Stigma is inappropriate, stigma does not work.

‘Sometimes people are struggling to maintain their weight. People at the groups would say: “Imagine how big I’d be if I didn’t come to these groups”.’

Dr Williams will host the exhibition and deliver his lecture on weight stigma on Thursday October, 18, 7:30pm at the Gosport Discovery Centre. The talk will come to Elson library on Friday October, 19, 10:00am.

Entry to both events are free, including a free copy of ‘The Weight of Expectation’ comic.