Myth: Fat plays a substantive role in causing disease.
Let’s unpack this:
First, it is important to realize that the majority of the medical field is trained in weight centric care. Dietitians especially are traditionally trained using a weight centric model and taught to prescribe diets to patients and clients. While we are not physicians, dietitians work very closely with doctors and we have seen this type of care far too many times. The current healthcare system has a lot of weight bias, weight judgment, and authoritative care. This can make healthcare for those residing in larger bodies more difficult, less accessible and maybe even scary!
Many times the first solution to an almenant of someone in a larger body is to lose weight. However, we know as weight neutral providers, that weight does not equal health. Let’s take knee pain as an example. Weight loss is often prescribed to alleviate knee pain. Once again, as weight neutral providers, we know that weight does not equal health. If this were true, every single person that resides in a larger body would have knee pain, and every single person that resides in a smaller body would not have knee pain. If weight loss was the answer, you would lose weight, and the knee pain would just go away- we of course know this is not the case.
So what’s the solution? Weight neutral care.
The Difference Between Weight Centric and Weight Neutral Care/ Health at Every Size (HAES®)
Weight neutral care is healthcare not based on body size. In the above example, this would look like not looking at their body and judging the size, but instead asking questions to investigate possible causes. How do they move? Have they tried any physical therapy or pain management? Have you tried any support braces? This puts the health care provider on the same team as the patient/client where the care is collaborative, not authoritative.
The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) is a community that works to advocate for weight neutral and Health at Every Size (HAES®) supported healthcare. This movement promotes balanced eating, life-enhancing physical activity, and respect for the diversity of body shapes and sizes. They stand for weight inclusivity, health enhancement, eating for well-being, respectful care and life-enhancing movement. This type of care is inclusive and collaborative and it’s encouraging to the patient, not demoralizing. Click here to learn more about The HAES® Approach to healthcare.
How to Unpack Our Beliefs Around Larger Bodies
In order to change our beliefs and actions towards people in larger bodies, you must get curious about your attitudes towards your own body. This requires you to look inward and work on your own intuitive eating and weight neutral journey.
Everything you do and say, stems from your relationship with food, movement and your body. Making peace with this yourself will put you in a better mindset to unpack these biases towards people in larger bodies.
Positive Health Changes That Have Nothing To Do With Weight Loss
Let’s remember that weight is just a data point- not a behavior. So let’s look at behaviors that improve health that we can get curious about:
- Sleep patterns
- Sleep is SO important. Proper sleep is needed for healthy brain function, immune function, mental health and so much more. Ask yourself “Am I giving my body the time and quality of sleep that it needs to rest and recover?” If the answer is no, this can be a behavior and goal to work on.
- Stress management
- There is a physical response in your body when you are reacting to stress. Coping with stress in a healthy way can help you both mentally and physically.
- Hydration
- Water is an essential nutrient. Dehydration can cause headaches, fatigue, and irritability. Focusing on improving your hydration status can help you feel your best without having to tie in any weight loss. Click here to read more on why hydration is so important!
- Movement that you enjoy
- Movement is so much more than a weight loss tool. Movement can be good for your mental health, a source of community, a time to be present in your day. Click here to read more about intuitive movement
- What you eat and drink
- We are not looking at food through the lens of restriction or shrinking the body. This is about being curious, tuning into the body and helping it with Gentle Nutrition. Click here to read more about Intuitive Eating Principle #10 Gentle Nutrition.
At the end of the day, this is only if you want to do this! Health is not a moral obligation. The idea that you must work to improve your health is authoritative care. Remember, every person has body autonomy and your health is your choice.
Click here to listen to our Find Food Freedom podcast episode where we unpack this myth further!
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