Tag Archives: weight stigma

2017 year in review

2017 Year in Review

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Wow! This year really flew by! Can you believe we’re already at the end of 2017?

 

I’ve covered a bunch of different topics on the blog this year. You can find them here, all in one place. Now, you can look back with me and see everything we covered with ease!  

 

If you’ve been reading for a while, you can revisit some past favorites or refresh your memory on any of the topics that speak to you. If you’re new here, this is a great place to get to know what I’m all about and become familiar with my style. My goal is to work collaboratively with clients to reduce food and weight preoccupation and teach clients to trust their bodies, rather than a diet, to know how to feed themselves.

 

First off, make sure you check out 5 reasons not to diet in 2017!

It’s relevant for every year, not just 2017. Since we’re heading into the season where everyone and their brother will be talking about their New Year’s Resolutions it’s good to have these facts in mind to support you in your choices.

 

Don’t suffer in silence!

The theme for National Eating Disorder Awareness week this year was “It’s Time to Talk About It.” Check out this post for the best place to get started on your journey.

 

Are you ready to break up with dieting?

Learn about what intuitive eating is, and the 10 basic principles that can help you get off the diet roller coaster for good.

 

There are a lot of questions you can ask yourself about your relationship with food.

Do you feel out of control with food? Is the good-bad food trap ruining your relationship with food? Are you an emotional eater?

 

Diet culture is everywhere these days.

It surrounds us on social media, on TV and in movies. It’s even present in the interactions we have with others. It’s important to understand that dieting is hazardous to your health. There are lots of myths and inaccuracies floating around that people use to justify diet culture and that lead to misunderstanding eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Eating disorders don’t just affect teens- they are common in midlife, in people who suffer from anxiety disorders, and can even occur in people who are perfectionists.

 

There is hope.

Eating disorders are treatable, and there are resources available for people who are ready to ditch diet culture. It’s possible to like your body better without having to change it!

 

Let me know if there are any topics you’d like me to cover in 2018. Don’t forget to share your favorite posts with friends and family!

2017 year in review

Weight Stigma Awareness Week 2015

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According to an on-line dictionary stigma is defined as “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person”.  Synonyms of stigma include shame, disgrace and dishonor.  Weight stigmatization is essentially shaming and blaming people about their body weight.

In efforts to promote awareness and ultimately prevention of weight bias in our culture, The Binge Eating Disorder Association sponsors a week long Weight Stigma Awareness Week annually in September.  This year’s theme, held September 21st through 25th, is “Bias and Bullying: Weight Stigma in Diverse Communities.”

Studies suggest that weight bias may actually INCREASE the likelihood of obesity, binge eating and staying obese.

Weight BiasWeight stigma is wide spread throughout our society including areas of employment, education and health/mental health care.  Studies indicate that weight stigma is on the rise in our society.  Weight stigma often is internalized by individuals which can lead to shame, hopelessness, isolation, etc.

A recent study published in Pediatric Obesity (July 2015) found that weight-based bullying is the most prevalent form of bullying in our youth.   This study found that more kids are being teased about their body weight than academic ability, physical/cognitive disables, sexual orientation, race & ethnicity or religion.  According to the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, the consequences of weight-based bullying increases our children’s risk for depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, poor body image, suicidal thoughts, poor academic performance and avoidance of health promoting behaviors.Continue reading→

Weight Stigma Awareness Week

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BEDAIt is coming September 22-26th, 2014…Weight Stigma Awareness week sponsored by The Binge Eating Disorder Association!  According to the on-line Merriam-Webster dictionary stigma is defined as “a set of negative and often unfair beliefs that a society or group of people have about something”.

Weight stigma is wide spread through our culture.  It shows up as bullying, verbal assaults and exclusion to name a few.  Weight prejeduce can arise in areas such as employment/occupation, education and health/mental health care.

Weight stigma often is internalized by individuals which can lead to shame, hopelessness, isolation, etc.   Studies suggest that weight bias may actually INCREASE the likelihood of obesity, binge eating and staying obese.   According to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, family members are one of the biggest sources of weight bias.  In one study of over 2400 overweight and obese women, 62% of the study participants reported that on multiple occasions they had been stigmatized by their families because of their body weight.

Ways to Reduce Weight Stigma

1.  Get educated on the complexities and causes of obesity.  It is not as easy as calories in and calories out.

2.  Understand that improving ones health can include a multitude of things, such as eating a nutrient dense foods and exercising, not just being thin.

3.  Challenge bias attitudes.  Speak-up.  Don’t just let gossip or criticism about someone’s body weight go unchallenged.

4.  Treat people of all sizes with fairness.

5.  Support media sources such as magazines, TV programs, blogs, etc. that focus on size acceptance vs. fat bashing.

6.  Take stock in your attitude about your own body.

7.  If you are a parent and you think your child may be experiencing weight bias go to the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity.  They have lots of good information about how to talk with your child about it.

The Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA) has lots of great on-line event during Weight Stigma Awareness week including featured bloggers, social media events and tool kits.  To learn more click here.