Weight bias happens on playgrounds, when the child struggling with obesity is bullied. But it happens in subtle ways, too, and it even happens in our medical offices.

Combatting this kind of bias takes education and advocacy, which is why I invited Dr. Leslie Golden to join me on today's Dr. Francavilla Show podcast episode.

Dr. Golden is an obesity medicine physician with graduate-level training in behavior change.

One important type of weight bias she detailed was internalized bias—the negative ideas we have about our own weight. We believe and buy into the idea that our weight issues are our fault, and that can really get in the way of people seeking care, causing long-term harm.

It's critical to recognize obesity as the disease that it is. It's not something everyone can control by moving more, eating less, trying harder.

And, it's important to recognize healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes. Our patients and our society tend to assume small means healthy and large means unhealthy.

Small does NOT necessarily mean healthy. Large does NOT necessarily mean unhealthy.

These biases can keep people from getting the help they need. Some of these biases even affect insurance coverage of weight management medication.

We as physicians and members of our community can help to mitigate biases by understanding that weight is biological and that medication is a tool necessary for many.

After you listen to this week's Dr. Francavilla Show Podcast episode, Understanding Weight Bias with Dr. Leslie Golden, you can contact your Senator or Congressperson about the importance of covering obesity treatment: https://www.obesityaction.org/troa/

You can connect with Dr. Leslie Golden here:

https://www.facebook.com/weightingoldwellness
https://www.instagram.com/weightingoldwellness/
www.weightingoldwellness.com

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