Is Your Practice Free From Weight Bias?
Weight bias and stigma are common in clinical settings and contribute to negative health outcomes. Weight bias refers to negative beliefs, judgments, and assumptions about people with excess weight. Weight stigma is how those biases are expressed through harmful stereotypes and behaviors.
Examples of weight stigma in healthcare include blaming all symptoms on weight, leading to misdiagnoses; giving less time, attention, or empathy to patients with excess weight; using judgmental verbal or nonverbal cues; and failing to provide a supportive physical environment.
As providers, we can take several steps to reduce bias and to create a more inclusive environment. First, ensure that your space is physically accommodating. Use chairs that are at least 35 inches wide or sturdy love seats that support over 300 pounds.
Provide appropriately sized patient gowns, from XL to 4XL; long tape measures; and large blood pressure cuffs. Use a wide-base scale that supports over 500 pounds and conduct the weigh-ins privately. Choose weight-sensitive artwork, reading materials, and videos.
It is also important to use patient-first language, which is a way of speaking that prioritizes the individual over their condition.For example, say "a person with obesity," not "an obese person."
Avoid harmful labels like "fat," "heavy," or "large." Always ask permission before discussing weight, and if a patient is not ready to discuss their weight, move on and let them know that you're ready when they are. Train your entire team on respectful communication and inclusive practices.
By addressing these issues, we can improve trust, patient experience, and health outcomes.
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