Navigating weight stigma in healthcare

Weight stigma

What is Weight Stigma?

Weight stigma is the unfair or negative treatment of people based on their body weight or size. This results in discrimination, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and harmful behaviours, affecting many areas of people’s lives.

There’s no doubt that weight stigma is widespread in our society. It is evident within policy, healthcare, the media, workplaces and education. There is a common misconception that a person’s body weight is determined by their individual choices and that it can be easily addressed by ‘eating less and moving more’. This form of stigma has an emotional, psychological and physical impact on those in larger bodies.

IN THE HEALTHCARE SETTING

Many of my clients describe encountering this prejudice regularly in healthcare settings. Contrary to the notion that weight stigma is an effective tool for health promotion and behaviour change, research indicates that it leads to higher stress levels, increased calorie consumption, binge eating, and the development of eating disorders.

Though medical professionals are well intentioned and do incredible work, there is a growing body of evidence of the presence of weight stigma within the health care setting and that it is extremely harmful to the health of individuals in larger bodies.

Unfortunately, this discrimination is deep rooted in within our culture. Weight stigma must be addressed by the governments and policy makers themselves, to enable significant change . Though I and others will keep shouting about it in the hope that we can do our small bit to help to instigate change.

Jacky’s Experience

A member of the Food Freedom Collective community (I’ve changed her name to Jacky) reached out to me with a question regarding her recent experience of weight stigma. This occurred during an appointment with a consultant doctor, about a condition completely unrelated to her weight.

Despite Jacky’s ongoing efforts and success in addressing her eating behaviour and adopting new health-promoting habits, the medical professional concentrated exclusively on her weight. Without prior discussion, the specialist then wrote to her GP, requesting a referral to an NHS weight loss programme.

Further details presented by Jacky suggest that she was neither listened to, nor provided with equal treatment as that of someone in a smaller body with the same health condition. She has a history of challenges around food and found this experience upsetting and triggering.

Jacky was therefore seeking advice on how to be prepared with potential responses in case she encounters weight stigma again in future medical appointments.

 

what can you do to protect yourself?

The first thing to remember is that as with any service provider you expect fair and equal treatment. When you seek help from a medical professional, whether within the NHS or through private services, it is no different -you are essentially the customer. I’m aware that some people may feel that they cannot speak up during this interaction because the medical professional is the expert in the room. However, it’s important to acknowledge that you are the expert of your own body and to speak up if something doesn’t feel right. You have the right to ask questions during a consultation, challenge advice and ask for a second opinion if you don’t feel happy with the treatment offered.

Secondly, you are entitled to the same ethical, evidenced based healthcare treatment as anyone else. You have the right to be treated with respect, to state your own needs and opinions, and say no or yes for yourself.

Keep in mind that, although most doctors provide dietary recommendations with the best intentions, many have minimal training in nutrition.

Having a card ready with key responses can be helpful. Here are some suggestions:

  • I do not wish to be weighed unless medically necessary (e.g. for correct dosage of medication)

  • If you need my weight because it is medically necessary, please explain why to me so I can give you my informed consent

  • Please do not tell me my weight unless I request it

  • I pursue healthy habits regardless of my weight status

  • When you focus on my weight- it increases my stress levels and has the potential for relapse into disordered eating behaviours (if applicable) or lead to weight cycling and that is not healthy for me.

  • Do people in smaller bodies suffer from this condition? If so what advice and treatment would you offer them?

  • Do you have any research you can share with me that this method of weight loss you are suggesting worked for the majority of people in the long term (ie. Between 3-5 years?)

  • I would like to focus on X, in the limited time that we have in this appointment

  • I would be happy to share some research with you on weight stigma if you would like to find out more about it. (See below for research links)

Use your own discretion as to which responses may be appropriate during your interaction.

Finally, If you have encountered weight stigma, offer yourself compassion and understand that it is not your fault.

I would love to hear if these suggestions have been helpful to you so do hit reply and let me know.

Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and making peace with food? Start by downloading my FREE guide, 'Breaking the Cycle - Your First Steps to Healing Your Relationship with Food.' This invaluable resource will help you:

This structured 4 step guide is an essential resource for anyone who suffers from emotional or disordered eating.

In this guide you’ll learn how to: 

✔️Understand the best way to structure your eating routine

✔️Develop a better understanding of your body’s appetite cues 

✔️Navigate snacking to help you reduce cravings and feel satiated

✔️Use the journaling pages (included) to gain a deeper understanding of your eating behaviour, thoughts and emotions 

Also included: 

✔️My free appetite tool 

✔️My free journaling pages

✔️Snack ideas

 

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