As we work toward making our public health pedagogy and classrooms more inclusive and trauma-informed, it is imperative that we are intentional about how we represent and talk about bodies, weight and health, and how welcome people feel in our programs. 

Here are some things to consider about weight-loss drugs from a body liberation + public health perspective. In any case, our work toward an equitable world for people in larger bodies continues.

We want to highlight this amazing group of medical students as an example of how those of us working in health fields and education can take a stand and make a difference in reducing weight stigma and anti-fat bias in our work and in society.

Here is an example of advocacy on behalf of weight-inclusive policy, including students speaking up, faculty and staff supporting them, and administrators listening. Learn about a Fat Justice Journal Club and its advocacy project.

Creating workplaces that are inclusive of people of all sizes involves physical and visual aspects, as well as the topics of "water cooler banter." Explore ways that both organizations and individuals can make people of all sizes feel welcome at work.

What do we mean by "feeling comfortable in our body," and where do these “feelings” come from? An examination of what underlies these feelings is critical to uprooting our own implicit anti-fat bias and working toward body liberation for all.

One of the most fundamental ways that we can enshrine our values is to create policy that manifests those values. Weight-inclusive policy aligns with principles of inclusion (anti-discrimination), access (universal design), and human rights.

Seeing ourselves represented in our environment helps us to know that we belong here, and this includes in the classroom. We can make changes that get us closer to class experiences of respect and dignity for students of all sizes.

Focus on Equity: Including weight stigma in our anti-oppression work allows us to take a more inclusive and expansive approach to equity. Body liberation adds an important piece to our liberatory, health-enhancing work.