In this episode, I talk with Dan Feldman (@powerlifterdietitian), a friend and fellow dietitian who does an excellent job of presenting research on controversial topics!

A Registered Dietitian with a master's degree in human nutrition, Dan is also a personal trainer, competitive powerlifter and has his own telehealth practice. He is also a nutrition and health researcher for examine.com.

Dan answers some questions I often get asked by clients:

1. What is the relationship between weight and health?
2. How do we know what body fat amount is healthy for us?
3. If I have a “healthy” BMI, shouldn’t I stay there and not let myself gain weight?

In this episode, we also discuss:

• Intuitive eating
• Disordered eating recovery and weight gain
• Health at every size, a weight neutral approach
• Weight bias in the medical community and what to do about it
• The role that social media has on our body image
• Genetic differences and the FTO (the obesity gene) gene
• AND SO MUCH MORE!

Key Takeaways: 

• BMI research is mixed, is nuanced and the thresholds are arbitrary and individualized.
• You can improve your health markers at any weight and without losing weight.
• Weight is not everything!  When being at a certain weight or body fat level causes quality of life to decrease or affects your relationship with food, or if it causes you to miss your period, take a close look at the risk vs. reward ratio.
• Weight loss does not necessarily = good. Losing weight is not necessary if you are already at a healthy place.

Make sure to follow Dan @powerlifterdieititan for all things related to nutrition research and content!

If you're experiencing binge eating, food anxiety, or missed periods, you can work 1:1 with me here to take the next step in your recovery. Apply here

If you have questions about this podcast or if you are a good fit to work with me, send me a DM on IG!

Resources for this episode:

BMI and mortality risk:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27146380/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27423262/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23280227/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30082166/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24452240/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29188887/

Fitness improves health at any body size:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29981352/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24438729/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28793990/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19366909/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19744231/

Intentional weight loss reducing mortality in those with obesity vs “healthy weights”

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19555520/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25794148/