LGBTQIA+ Eating Disorder Care: Making Space When the World Isn’t
This Pride Month, I've been reflecting on the idea of space, what it really means to slow down and what it means to create space for the LGBTQIA+ clients and colleagues who don't always have it. By the time you read this, I’ll be off on a medical leave for the month of June. And [...]Healing Without Harm: Why Weight Inclusive Care Matters
Did you know there is a week every September dedicated to raising awareness about and dismantling weight stigma? Well, there is! And this year’s theme is “Healing Without Harm: Ending Weight Stigma in Healthcare.” When I decided to become an eating disorder specialist, I had no idea how much of my energy would be poured [...]What Should I Do If My Child Tells Me They Are Fat?
A Dietitian’s Guide to Supporting Your Child’s Body Image and Self-Worth. As a dietitian who works with children, adolescents, and families, I often hear concerned parents ask: “What do I say when my child says they are fat or hate their body?” If you're a parent wondering what to do if your child says they [...]Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024 – Healing in Community
Today marks the first day of Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) with this year’s theme, “Healing in Community.” Historically, during eating disorders (ED) awareness week, I’ve aimed my efforts at clinicians outside the ED profession. This year, I’m taking a different approach and speaking directly to those of us already treating EDs, because in order [...]Weight is Not the Illness When it Comes to Eating Disorders
We need to end traumatic and destructive anti-fatness rooted racism, shame, and discrimination. I got so angry while at the Eating Disorders Research Society Conference in September of 2023. If you’ve been following my reels on Instagram (totally ok if you’re not), you may have seen me sharing some of my takeaways and highlights from the [...]These new AAP guidelines will increase eating disorders in children
If you are in the eating disorder world, you have probably heard the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) newest guidelines for children who live in larger bodies. If you have not heard of these new guidelines, I’m going to summarize them here, as well as provide my stance on these recommendations. In the wise words [...]COVID Weight Gain & What It Really Means
I’d venture a guess that I am not alone in feeling awfully tired of the fear mongering headlines related to COVID weight gain. And I’m also not alone in saying that, given what this past year has cost us, some extra weight really shouldn’t be the biggest worry on our minds. But as more people [...]It IS Possible to Feel Less Crappy About Your Body Image
Negative body image plagues most women and many men. It’s a truth that makes me sad but an issue I care deeply about because negative body image threatens our capacity to follow our passions, feel connected to and accepted by others, and experience joy. Negative body image is not a matter of vanity because it […]
What a Fat Person Needs – A Life Lesson
You guys have seen me write A LOT about the problems of weight stigma. I even developed a free short guide for practitioners on how to provide non-stigmatizing care. But I understand that terms are often thrown around and their true meaning can seem vague or unclear. You may have even asked yourself, “What does […]
But I Hate My Body…Cracking the Code on Body Acceptance
Are you considering the notion of body acceptance. Or perhaps someone in your life is urging you to consider body acceptance. Maybe you have heard the word body acceptance and thought to yourself, “Why in the world would I accept THIS body?” Body acceptance is a super challenging idea for nearly everyone. We have been […]
Dismantling Stigma One Word at a Time
The words we use matter A LOT! They carry far more meaning than their simple definition might imply. I find that, as I work with both clients and clinicians on dismantling internalized weight stigma, many feel overwhelmed and intimated by the linguistics of it all. Learning to speak and process in a non-stigmatizing way is […]
Wonder Woman & Her 30 Seconds of Bravery
I’m not a particularly brave person. I don’t say that in a self-deprecating way. I say it in a neutral way – like stating my preference for English muffins covered in PB&J for breakfast. But at a recent annual nutrition conference (which drew over 10,000 registered dietitians), my bravery was put to the test. I’d […]
The Weight of Weight Stigma
The following post was written by Elizabeth Jarrard, RD. Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me. Right? Words like “fat” “obese” get tossed around a lot in our society. Unfortunately they are often also associated with words like “gross” or “lazy.” These words do hurt. The stigma of weight […]
Big Butts, Burgers, & Weight Stigma
Are you interested in hearing my take on weight stigma? Check out my video below! In honor of weight stigma awareness week I tackle some tough topics and share with you some important research. But in addition to this video, there are some absolutely amazing blog posts I’d encourage you to read. I have been blown […]
Weight Stigma Awareness Week (WSAW) 2014
It is WSAW 2014. And this year’s post is inspired by a recent talk I watched on TED by the brave and smart Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her talk is entitled “The Danger of a Single Story” and I loved it so much I embedded it here for your viewing pleasure. I think her message is applicable […]
Weight Stigma Awareness Week
Weight Stigma is judgment or stereotyping based on one’s weight, shape and/or size. If you don’t think that weight stigma has anything to do with you, please keep reading. It’s the number one form of bullying and discrimination in the United States today. A scientific study of 170,000 people showed that feeling fat is worse […]
#EndED Twitter Chat: Weight Stigma with BEDA
Our next #endED Twitter chat is Wed, September 21st at 8:30pm EST with @BEDAorg to talk about about weight stigma. You might be asking what exactly is weight stigma? Weight stigma is bullying, teasing, negative body language, harsh comments, discrimination, or prejudice based upon a person’s body size. Weight Stigma is something that shames and […]