Shifting our approach to food and nutrition from weight-centric to one focused on autonomy, respect, equity and social determinants of health aligns with public health values and improves our effectiveness in bettering the overall well-being of our communities and their members.

As public health shifts toward a more weight-inclusive approach, and seeing body liberation as part of our social justice and equity work, what about the people working directly with individuals in a clinic setting?

If you are new to body liberation or weight-inclusive health topics, you may be wondering how to get started in your own work to reduce weight stigma and its harm. As we often hear in activist spaces these days, the most important thing is that we “do something.” 

The racist origin story of the Body Mass Index (BMI) has been well-documented, and its current use continues to perpetuate stereotypes and misinformation. Here are some better options.