Episode 8: Exploring Risk and Stigma in Childhood Obesity with Dr Jumana Hashim

In this episode of the Risk Radar podcast, host Jared Ng and guest Dr Jumana Hashim discuss the VOICE exhibition—a collaborative project between the Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk (IPUR) and the Centre for Behavioural and Implementation Science Interventions (BISI). The conversation explores how childhood obesity is perceived and communicated as a risk in Singapore, highlighting the often-overlooked emotional and social impacts, including weight stigma and mental health challenges.Dr Hashim shares insights from research involving young adults who experienced childhood obesity, revealing how family, educators, and social environments shape risk perceptions and behaviors. The episode delves into how the VOICE exhibition used immersive art and storytelling to translate these complex findings into an engaging public experience. Interactive elements encouraged visitors to reflect on their own attitudes and roles in addressing stigma, making the risks more relatable and prompting meaningful conversations.The episode emphasises the power of creative communication in shifting public understanding of health risks and fostering empathy, with plans for future evaluation and expansion to other public health topics.