5 Questions with Dr. Lesley Williams
Meet the experts!
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I am honored to introduce today’s expert - Dr. Lesley Williams!
1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your work
I am a Family Medicine physician practicing at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona.
My day to day work involves providing primary care in a safe space where all people feel valued.
My advocacy passion is around helping women and girls of all sizes liberate themselves from the idea that their body is an obstacle to their happiness.
2. How did you learn about the concept of weight-neutral, body affirming care?
I think I first learned about it while giving a talk at an eating disorder conference on how we can advocate for health without focusing on weight. One of the pioneers in the field, Deb Burgard, was there and introduced me to HAES and gave me the vocabulary and research behind the weight inclusive paradigm.
3. How have you/do you apply those concepts to your work?
My goal is to make patients of all sizes feel welcomed. I try to help my patients see that it is possible to work toward health goals without being singularly focused on weight. This is often difficult for them to grasp because it contradicts what most physicians have been telling them their entire lives.
4. What’s one thing that you wish people who are still working from a weight-focused paradigm could learn/know?
I wish they would understand that the weight-focused approach keeps people from engaging with the healthcare system. As a result, they have poorer health outcomes. If we truly care about the health of others, we should be focused on making spaces where all people feel included and seen.
5. How and where do we find you and your work?
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More research and resources:
https://haeshealthsheets.com/resources/