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In This Issue:
Featured Wellness Message: Be an Advocate for Your—and Your Child's—Health
Recommended Resource: Don't Weigh Me Cards
My Psychology Today Article: How “What I Eat in a Day” Videos Can Impact Mental Health
My Featured Post: Why Do We Get Weighed at the Doctor’s Office?
Be an Advocate for Your—and Your Child's—Health
If you are a parent or a student, going back to school can mean a lot of running around to various appointments. One of those appointments is commonly to visit the doctor. Most schools require up-to-date vaccinations for admission, and routine eye exams can ensure your child can read at various distances.
But going to the doctor can also be stressful. Kids are measured, questioned, and tested. They're also weighed, which can be uncomfortable for some children and teens (and adults)–and even stigmatizing or triggering.
But did you know that you may be able to opt-out of being weighed? And that even requesting to do so is stirring up controversy in some circles? You'll read more about why we get weighed—and reasons that you may want to refrain from it—in this newsletter.
Bottom line is that you—or your child—should never leave a doctor's office feeling uncomfortable, shamed, or judged. If you do, you may want to find another provider.
In addition, we all deserve to get the care we need. So speak up for yourself if you aren't getting your needs met, if you have questions, if you're not understanding something, or for any other reason. Your well-being is important!
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There won't be a September newsletter this year, but rest assured we'll be back in October.
Be well,
Dr. Gia
"Every time I rap about being a big girl in a small world, it's doing a couple things: it's empowering my self-awareness, my body image, and it's also making the statement that we are all bigger than this; we're a part of something bigger than this, and we should live in each moment knowing that."​
—Lizzo
Don't Weigh Me Cards
A polite way to decline what can be triggering for many
When Ginny Jones was recovering from an eating disorder, being weighed was a major stressor for her. So in 2019 she created “Don’t Weigh Me” cards as a polite way to open a conversation with healthcare providers about whether needing her weight was even necessary. Since then, thousands have been sold across the globe.
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The back of the cards read:
Most health conditions can be addressed without knowing my weight.When you focus on my weight I get stressed (and that's not healthy).Weighing me every time I come in for an appointment and talking about my weight like it's a problem perpetuates weight stigma (a known and serious health risk).I pursue healthy behaviors regardless of my weight status.
"I think we all deserve the dignity of having a say in our own healthcare," says Jones, "and if something stresses us out, I don’t believe we should default to being obedient and compliant. We can speak up and find out what our options are."
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For $5, you can order a set of five "Don't Weigh Me," "Don't Talk About My Child's Weight," or "Don't Weigh Me at School" cards. They also come in Spanish and French, and with other messages on the front.
How “What I Eat in a Day” Videos Can Impact Mental Health
Be smarter about viewing reels with food
While there is no harm in using social media to find meal-preparation tips, recipe ideas, or fulfill a genuine curiosity about how a favorite athlete fuels up before a big event, some videos may pose risks to individuals’ physical and mental health. They may increase your anxiety about eating well and whether your own habits measure up.
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That's why "What I eat in a day” videos—short clips of individuals discussing the food they eat—may be more harmful than helpful. Creators of these videos range from the everyday person to athletes, celebrities, models, nutritionists, and doctors. They have billions of views, and the trend of posting daily may make them seem more important than they actually are. In addition:
They may provide inappropriate nutrition information.They may be unrealistic.They typically fail to acknowledge individual differences.They encourage unhealthy comparisons.They may be triggering if you are vulnerable to an eating disorder or are in recovery from one.
To find out what you can do to offset the negative impact of these videos when they do wind up in your feed, read my article in its entirety.
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Why Do We Get Weighed at the Doctor’s Office?
What to do if stepping on a scale makes you uncomfortable
For many people, regardless of their size and weight, stepping on the scale at the doctor’s office can be triggering—and harmful. In my clinical work as a psychologist, children, teens, and adults have shared with me the very negative effects of being weighed and having their weight discussed in healthcare settings. They have left offices feeling judged, shamed, or worse.
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Yet, the way our bodies respond to genetics, growth, stress, trauma, hormonal changes, fad dieting, exercise, and food sensitivity and availability is not entirely under our control.
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Many people avoid medical treatment for fear of being weighed. When they are weighed, many report being stigmatized. Research has shown that weight stigma in the healthcare setting is likely to lead to inappropriate and unequal healthcare. Furthermore, individuals in larger bodies experience stigma from educators, employers, the media, and even friends and family.
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It is important that you leave the doctor’s office feeling empowered rather than ashamed or embarrassed. Read my full blog post to get some tips on making your trip to the doctor a little more comfortable.
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