Weight Stigma in Eating Disorder Treatment Settings: A Discussion on Identification & Reduction

Atkins, Jamie

Saturday, March 24, 2018: 10:30 AM-12:00 PM

Congressional (Omni Championsgate)

Background: As the “fight against obesity” continues to gain momentum, unfortunately so do the unforeseen ill-effects of weight stigma, and ED treatment settings are not immune. After reviewing the relevant research, this interactive round table discussion will explore weight biases in ED treatment settings—including approaches that hierarchize differently sized bodies, that assume all individuals seeking treatment will/can/should be thin, and that reassure individuals that “you won’t get fat”—and problem-solve how such bias/stigma can be minimized. Following the round table, recommendations from the iaedp Symposium attendees, in addition to attendees of other related conferences, will be published.

Objectives: 1. identify three ways ED treatment settings may contribute to weight bias. 2. identify three ED interventions that may inadvertently perpetuate fat phobia. 3. explain five recommendations for building strategies to reduce weight bias in ED treatment.

We appreciate the opportunity to submit a proposal to present “Weight Stigma in Eating Disorder Treatment Settings: A Discussion on Identification & Reduction” at the iaedp 2018 Symposium. This submission is a little different and we would love the opportunity to tell you why: We are proposing leading an interactive round table discussion examining lived experience—both the client- and the clinician-perspective—of weight bias in the treatment setting. This conversation would include all attendees of the workshop and would be a continuation of a conversation that was begun at the 2017 International Weight Stigma Conference (IWSC) in Prague, Czech Republic; will be continued at the 2017 BEDA/NEDA Conference in Chicago; and ultimately (if all goes as planned) will culminate in a published article listing ways in which weight stigma inadvertently creeps into ED treatment settings with suggestions on how to reduce such stigma. We hope to model our article after “What's in a Word? On Weight Stigma and Terminology” (http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01527/full) by Meadows and Danielsdottir, and would love to be able to say that the article was based on discussions at conferences including the iaedp Symposium. All of this is to say that our content outline is shorter and simpler than any of our previous submissions, and we felt you deserved an explanation as to why :)

Weight Stigma in Eating Disorder Treatment Settings: A Discussion on Identification & Reduction

A. Brief explanation of, and goal-setting for, round table

B. Review of research on the prevalence of weight stigma in ED settings

C. Addressing of the following questions

1. ED treatment interventions that are weight stigmatizing (and non-stigmatizing alternatives if applicable)

2. Other aspects about ED treatment that is weight stigmatizing (and non-stigmatizing alternatives if applicable)

3. Non-stigmatizing solutions/tips/interventions

D. Wrap up, summarizing, requests for contact info for attendees who would like to participate further in publication

As the “fight against obesity” continues to gain momentum, unfortunately so do the unforeseen ill effects of weight stigma, and eating disorder (ED) treatment settings are not immune. Covert (and overt) weight stigma can permeate the treatment setting in clients’ internalized weight bias, in treating professionals’ own biases, in peer cohorts in treatment milieus, and even in our most trustworthy interventions. After exploring the research on the prevalence of weight bias among ED treatment professionals, we will pose questions about whether and how treatment interventions can inadvertently stigmatize people in larger bodies and will explore biases, including approaches that hierarchize (or ignore) differently sized bodies, that assume all individuals seeking treatment will/can/should be thin, and that reassure individuals seeking ED treatment that “you won’t get fat.”

Together with the audience in a round table format, we will challenge biases that permeate ED treatment and will generate recommendations for reducing weight stigma/bias in such settings. Following the workshop, we will compile recommendations from the iaedp Symposium attendees, in addition to attendees of other related conferences, for publication to disseminate the knowledge.

Primary Presenter:

Jennifer Henretty, PhD, CEDS

Jen Henretty, PhD, CEDS—a licensed clinical psychologist, Immediate Past President of LA iaedp, Vice President of the Association of Size Diversity & Health, an ED therapist, and the Director of Outcomes & Research for Center For Discovery—has been working with folks with EDs for 15 years. She has authored multiple publications, in such journals as International Journal of Eating Disorders and Journal of Counseling Psychology. Passionate about size acceptance and intersectionality, Jen serves on the Inclusiveness Committee of ASDAH; volunteers at her local LGBTQIA center; and has spoken at local, national, and international gatherings, spreading the HAES message.

Co-Presenter:

Jamie Atkins, RD, CEDRD

Jamie is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for food, and is currently the Director of Dietary Services for Adult RTC, at Center for Discovery. Since becoming a dietitian, she helps people meet their nutritional needs without losing sight of the social and emotional value of food. With a non-judgmental approach, Jamie helps people create a healthy relationship between food, mind, & body. Jamie has worked with all five levels of care and has spoken on the topic of eating disorders at the national and international level. Jamie has worked in this field since 2007, supporting clients where they are in recovery.

See more of: Workshops

<< Previous Proposal | Next Proposal >>