Stand Up for Your Health
Unfortunately, these experiences are normal for people who are living with obesity. Just because they are normal doesn’t mean they are correct. Everybody has the right to health, not matter what they weight. You deserve the very best when it comes to your health. It’s time to be your own advocate
Insist on HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE.
Know the Medical Facts
As you advocate for your health, it’s important to know why we use the word obesity and it’s definition in medicine
There’s a strong movement against the word obesity. It’s understandable. The word has been used to cause much harm. But when you advocate for your health within a medical setting ……
Know Your Rights
As a patient, you have rights. Know your rights and be prepared to start a conversation with your medical provider if you find they are being violated….
Know Your Own Bias
Everyone has bias and we need to learn to check out own bias…..
RESOURCES
Weight Friendly Space Checklist
CHAIRS- do they fit? Do they have arms on the sides?
BLOOD PRESSURE CUFFS: are there a variety of sizes to FIT ALL ARMS or even a wrist cuff
SCALE: Can it weigh everyone? Is it in a quiet private place? MOST IMPORTANT: Were you asked to be weighed first? Remember weight is just a part of a physical exam. You should be asked before someone examines you. CONSENT is an essential part of any medical interaction.
READING MATERIAL: What kind of magazines or visuals are in the office? Has your health care provider sent you a FAT-PHOBIC message just by the reading material and patient information they provide in the waiting room? Resources should respect that you are a smart informed patient who gets enough negative images from the rest of the world- you don’t need that kind of messaging here of all places.
GOWN: You are asked to change into a gown for an exam. Does it fit?
OVERALL SPACE AND MESSAGING: The images (artwork, patient education posters) are weight neutral and nonjudgmental.
Exam Room
Stepstool with handle for exam table access
Large sized gowns
Large and extra large adult and thigh blood pressure cuffs
Long vaginal specula
Wide examination tables
Hydraulic tilt tables
Sturdy armless chairs
Waiting Room
Open arm chairs that can support more than 300 pounds
Firm sofas that can support more than 300 pounds
Ensure 6-8 inches of space between chairs
Weight-sensitive reading materials
Doors and hallways accommodating large size wheelchairs, walkers and scooters
Bathrooms with split lavatory seat with handled urine specimen collector
Bathrooms with properly mounted grab bars and floor-mounted toilets
Scale
Wide-based scale that measures greater than 500 pounds
Accessible for individuals with disabilities
Situated in a physical location that offers privacy and confidentiality
Wide platform with handles for support during weighing
Nonbias Behaviour Checklist
PERSON FIRST LANGUAGE: What kind of language does your doctor or health care provider (HCP) use? We are PEOPLE first. A person WITH obesity NOT an OBESE person. There’s alot of debate out there about the medicalization of obesity itself. Part of the problem is words have been use for weapons for far too long. Regardless of what words you are comfortable with- make sure your doctor of HCP knows you are a PERSON FIRST - we don’t need diseases to describe us. EVEN BETTER: have a discussion with your doctor about what words you are comfortable with.
ASK FOR THE SCIENCE: Science is not a belief. Science is the laws of the universe. Science is key. If your HCP makes a claim- do they back it up with evidence?
PROPER HISTORY AND PHYSICAL: Did the doctor or HCP take a proper history and ask questions about your symptoms? Your weight is not the cause of every symptom you have. Yes, sometimes weight can contribute to certain diseases but make sure your doctor takes the time to properly get the information and EXCLUDE other contributing factors. Ask yourself- if weight were a neutral issue what questions would this doctor be asking?
ASK PERMISSION: If the discussion leads to one about your weight- Did your doctor ask permission to discuss your weight? Maybe you came to the office to discuss something completely different. You are a patient first. Does the solution to your concern inevitably lead to a discussion around weight? If so- You can stop the discussion right there according to your comfort level.
Has this been your experience?
Any diagnosis from an ingrown toenail to high blood pressure is met with the statement “LOSE WEIGHT”
Every time you see a doctor or health care professional there is a discussion around weight. There is this unspoken message that WEIGHT=HEALTH. If you want to be healthy- just lose weight.
You’ve seeing a doctor for anything including annual checkups because you have been made to feel shame about your weight
Your doctor’s office is a anything but a WEIGHT NEUTRAL space. The scale, the blood pressure machine, THE CHAIRS…. the entire space is designed to exclude you.
You’ve been dreading your trip to the doctor’s office because you know the discussion will inevitably turn to an unsolicited talk about your weight
Your doctor never asks to weigh you- it’s done regardless of how you feel, usually by a stranger and without any respect for privacy.