Weight Bias in Health Education: Critical Perspectives for Pedagogy and Practice

Weight stigma is pervasive in our culture, causing harm to fat people's health care. This book explores how anti-fat bias and discrimination in health care affect care and training. It challenges the dominant discourse that health in fat individuals must be improved through weight loss and proposes ways to address anti-fat bias in education and training. It is for scholars and practitioners interested in fat studies and health education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 186 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Weight stigma is a pervasive issue in our culture that often goes unnoticed, yet it causes significant harm. The healthcare system is rife with anti-fat bias and discrimination against individuals who are overweight or obese, compromising the quality of care and influencing the training of new practitioners. This book aims to explore the underlying causes of this problem and propose solutions to address it.

The first part of the book delves into the negative impacts of bias, discrimination, and other harms perpetrated by healthcare providers against fat individuals. It highlights the experiences of fat people who have faced discrimination and marginalization in healthcare settings, including being blamed for their health conditions, subjected to rude or abusive behavior, and denied appropriate treatment. The book also sheds light on the scientific evidence that shows that being overweight or obese is not a risk factor for poor health, but rather a complex medical condition that requires compassionate and effective care.

The second part of the book focuses on strategies for addressing anti-fat bias in education for health professionals. It discusses how we can create a more inclusive and respectful learning environment that promotes the health and well-being of fat individuals. The book suggests incorporating alternative frameworks, such as Health at Every Size, into training programs to challenge the dominant discourse that weight loss is the only solution to improving health in fat individuals.

The book is interdisciplinary in nature, drawing on insights from medicine, nursing, social work, nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, sociology, education, and gender studies. It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issues surrounding weight stigma and obesity and to offer practical solutions for improving the health and well-being of fat individuals.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for scholars and practitioners with an interest in fat studies and health education. It challenges the dominant discourse that health in fat individuals must be improved through weight loss and provides alternative frameworks for addressing anti-fat bias in education for health professionals. By promoting a more inclusive and respectful approach to healthcare, we can create a healthier and more equitable society for all individuals, regardless of their size.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032112169