What is Weight Stigma, and Why Does Supporting Weight Inclusive Healthcare Matter?

Alix McLaughlin, PhD, Jennie David, PhD, and Anne Dawson, PhD

Since the 1980s, there has been more talk of the “obesity epidemic.” Doctors often discuss children’s body size during appointments. It can often feel like the larger the child’s body, the longer the doctor’s lecture. Keep reading to learn about how caregivers can support their child’s mental health by combating weight stigma.

What is weight stigma?

Weight stigma is a form of bias that puts down people living in large bodies. Weight stigma means judging people based on current beauty standards and body size. Kids learn about the “ideal body size” that can lead to weight stigma everywhere, even at visits to the doctor.

Why is reducing weight stigma important?

Weight stigma can lead to discrimination and mental health concerns. The way we talk about health (i.e., bodies, food, and sleep) matters. Health behaviors, like moving your body, getting enough sleep, and having social support are more important than a number on a scale (i.e., weight). Weight alone does not equal health. By talking about the many aspects of health rather than just weight, we can create a long-lasting positive relationship with a child’s health and healthcare experiences.

What is weight neutrality?

Weight neutrality means to respect all types of bodies. The goal is to treat everyone with kindness and respect no matter their body size. Weight neutrality helps to teach kids about food, weight, and body shapes in an inclusive way.

What can caregivers do to support weight neutrality?

Your child will hear about how bodies “should” look almost daily. So, caregivers can help by making a habit of having neutral conversations at home. Here are some tips:

Talk about normal body changes (e.g., “I notice my eyes are changing and I may need new glasses.”).
Notice your own body talk. This is hard for everyone, and we are all learning to be gentle with our bodies! Children model their body acceptance from you- so doing your own work is powerful.
Avoid connecting health behaviors to weight change. Focus on what the body can do, not how the body looks (e.g., “I notice I have more energy after moving my body”).
Praise your child for health behaviors (e.g., “I love how hard you work at soccer practice”) not appearance (“You look great in your uniform!”).
When your child is old enough, teach them how to question what they see and hear through the media. For example, who made the post? What is goal of the post? How does it make you feel?

At healthcare appointments, consider how to:

Think ahead and talk with your child about medical visits. Discuss your child’s goals for their health and how they think about themselves and their body. Talk about big emotions and plan coping skills if needed. For example, plan a fun activity for after the doctor, draw a picture about their feelings, or spend time with a friend.
Ask questions and advocate for your child. Ask your child’s doctor to focus on what our bodies do when talking about health. For example, “What would be different for my child if they got more sleep?” If your child shows body image concerns or disordered eating behaviors, you can ask for blinded weights (this means they won’t tell your child what they weigh).

Request support from other providers. Ask for help from dietitians! Mental health professionals, like pediatric psychologists, can talk about health, and mental health, and help your child set personal goals. If your child has disordered eating behaviors, ask for an adolescent medicine provider. To learn more about signs of disordered eating, check out this link.

To learn more, check out the resources below!

Resources:
- Health At Every Size- https://asdah.org/health-at-every-size-haes-approach/ ;
- The Full Bloom Podcast, episode “What does body-positive adolescent healthcare look like?”- https://www.fullbloomproject.com/podcast
Books
- Caregivers: Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture by Virginia Sole-Smith and Raising Body Positive Teens by Signe Darpinian, Wendy Sterling, and Shelley Aggarwal
- Kids: Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder, B is for Bellies by Rennie Dyball
- Teens: More than a Body: Your Body is an Instrument, Not an Ornament by Lindsay and Lexie Kite
- Young Adults: You Just Need to Lose Weight and 19 Other Myths about Fat People by Aubrey Gordon