Thank you for sharing I keep reading about the systemic fat bias in the medical community that begins in med school, but I see few concrete examples of what this looks like. Where and how does this bias begin? Is it solely based in the BMI?
From what I've spoken to/with from those in the system, the idea of pathologizing body size (ob*sity) is taken as a gospel truth and the idea that anyone who tries hard enough can lose weight is widely believed which leads to stereotype and patient-blaming. In addition to an education steeped in weight stigma, higher-weight bodies are often not represented in teaching staff, student body, or as part of education itself (for example, many medical schools won't accept higher-weight cadavers.)
Much of it is based in BMI in the sense that BMI is the (super problematic) method used to pathologize bodies based on shared size rather than shared symptomology which is the root of much of medical weight stigma.
I have more information about concrete examples of systemic fat bias here if that's helpful:
Thank you for this thorough explanation. I keep reading and trying to understand where this bias comes from. I don’t know if I’m just more aware, but it “feels” like the pathologizing (not sure that’s a word) is getting louder.
You are welcome. And it's not just perception - there is a very conscious campaign by the weight loss industry to up the ante on pathologizing higher-weight bodies (as a "lifelong chronic illness" so that they can sell us their failed products for the rest of our lives. I wrote more in-depth about it here if it's helpful: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/reader-question-why-do-they-say-that
Soooooo good and so needed. I wish this was required reading for every single person in medical now and forever..
I love this so much. I live for the day doctors use their privilege to fight oppression and reject diet-industry-sponsored education.
Thank you for sharing I keep reading about the systemic fat bias in the medical community that begins in med school, but I see few concrete examples of what this looks like. Where and how does this bias begin? Is it solely based in the BMI?
From what I've spoken to/with from those in the system, the idea of pathologizing body size (ob*sity) is taken as a gospel truth and the idea that anyone who tries hard enough can lose weight is widely believed which leads to stereotype and patient-blaming. In addition to an education steeped in weight stigma, higher-weight bodies are often not represented in teaching staff, student body, or as part of education itself (for example, many medical schools won't accept higher-weight cadavers.)
Much of it is based in BMI in the sense that BMI is the (super problematic) method used to pathologize bodies based on shared size rather than shared symptomology which is the root of much of medical weight stigma.
I have more information about concrete examples of systemic fat bias here if that's helpful:
https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/understanding-weight-stigma-in-healthcare
Thank you for this thorough explanation. I keep reading and trying to understand where this bias comes from. I don’t know if I’m just more aware, but it “feels” like the pathologizing (not sure that’s a word) is getting louder.
You are welcome. And it's not just perception - there is a very conscious campaign by the weight loss industry to up the ante on pathologizing higher-weight bodies (as a "lifelong chronic illness" so that they can sell us their failed products for the rest of our lives. I wrote more in-depth about it here if it's helpful: https://weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/reader-question-why-do-they-say-that