Eliminating weight bias
Two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese and struggling with weight loss. Research
shows obese patients feel stigmatized in health care settings, which often occurs unintentionally.
To eliminate weight bias:
- Acknowledge attitudes. Are you comfortable working with people of all sizes?
- Adopt sensitive language. Patients prefer words like “weight” or “body mass index”
- Use motivational interviewing. Ask, how is your weight affecting you right now?
- Recognize obesity is a product of genetic / biological / environmental contributors.
Treating Obese Patients: The Importance of Improving Provider-Patient Interaction, May 2010, Medscape
Topics:
