Weight Inclusivity - All OSHII Staff Feb. 13, 2024 by Brian Bluhm

I get uncomfortable if non-fat people are delivering this message to fat people.

2024-02-13 16:00:19 UTC

2024-02-13 16:00:27 UTC

I am excited to be hearing more about this topic. I think it's super important to be aware and make changes in OSHII/MDH.

Reporting on BMI from the BRFSS data when it is released.

2024-02-13 16:00:38 UTC

It would be beautiful if all people were accepted as they are.

2024-02-13 16:00:51 UTC

2024-02-13 16:01:03 UTC

One thing I've come up against is rural LPH counties needing obesity data because that's what their commissioners want. So it feels like a long game for education and changing the framework.

Excited this topic is getting more attention and understanding. It's been know for a long time but ignored by academia.

2024-02-13 16:01:09 UTC

2024-02-13 16:01:14 UTC

Change is hard- just need more practice with updating our language (and knowledge) to feel more comfortable with it

thanks for bringing this sensitive topic public.

2024-02-13 16:01:16 UTC

2024-02-13 16:01:28 UTC

I am happy to see some advertising is starting to show larger bodies as the norm.

I think it is exciting that this idea is getting more traction.

curtisseelen — 2024-02-13 16:01:32 UTC

2024-02-13 16:01:38 UTC

I feel like that because I am overweight, if I speak about this that others will perceive it be self-fullfilling that it impacts me.

2024-02-13 16:01:44 UTC

I feel joy thinking about how this might end cycles of oppression and harm done across generations

It would be wonderful if the medical community recognized this. Just got a "Report Card" the other day. Very degrading.

2024-02-13 16:01:46 UTC

I try to talk to my family about weight inclusivity as I want my child to grow up not immerse in weight stigma environment. It's hard for my family to understand for now and maybe I have yet to be able to explain it well. Slowly but surely I think things will get better.

2024-02-13 16:01:58 UTC

This presentation, and continued hope that we can change the narrative around obesity BRFSS data and becoming weight neutral in how we present BRFSS data.

2024-02-13 16:01:59 UTC

Body Shaming

2024-02-13 16:02:14 UTC

Feeling as though I am not as great or capable as others because I am not perfect.

Looking forward to getting these slides and digging into the resources

2024-02-13 16:02:24 UTC

2024-02-13 16:02:34 UTC

Complex information.

It's exciting to know that concrete behavior changes, including fruit/veggies and physical activity, is really what supports health. We can focus our energy on those messages, instead of nebulous "lose weight"

2024-02-13 16:02:40 UTC

2024-02-13 16:02:57 UTC

This approach to change the perception will hopefully change the outcomes for those that are not going to their Dr's, medical professionals for health concerns.

Thank you for all the resources!

2024-02-13 16:03:01 UTC

I am glad that an RD is leading this and I am excited there's a group like this working in OSHII.

2024-02-13 16:03:09 UTC

2024-02-13 16:03:10 UTC

Weight loss is hard- excited to shift away from this focus and focus on inclusivity and weight neutral language

Cultural factors with weight and working with families from diverse communities.

2024-02-13 16:03:11 UTC

Being inclusive of larger people means larger items and usually there isn't a good balance of large and small items then (like furniture) so to be aware that the balance is needed, not just all inclusive sized items.

2024-02-13 16:03:18 UTC

2024-02-13 16:03:19 UTC

i want kids to no longer be bullied about their weight. What can we do about that?

2024-02-13 16:03:31 UTC

I am glad they took obesity out of the SHIP legislation.

2024-02-13 16:03:31 UTC

excellent presentation breaking down this information in a helpful way

We are all in this together.

2024-02-13 16:03:41 UTC

Highlighting the fact that we are all very different but are all in this together.

2024-02-13 16:03:47 UTC

The complexity- more movement might lead to weight loss. But its the movement that is important and its about what helps people choose to move more versus not. I feel in public health there is an idea that complexity is the enemy of public messaging. It feels complicated to have these conversations in a public health space. Its frustrating.

Some of the healthiest people I have ever known are considered "overweight" and some of the most unhealthy people are considered "Ideal Weight" I think that recognizing this is important.

curtisseelen — 2024-02-13 16:03:56 UTC

2024-02-13 16:04:03 UTC

Well organized presentation. Good points about the media and how they "fat shame" people. It's terrible.

CDC

2024-02-13 16:04:04 UTC

That it will take awhile for those at CDC to understand and change the strategies they require for funding.

I think it is an important public health topic. I am also nervous of what it would take to do away with the stereotypes.

2024-02-13 16:04:10 UTC

As an individual who may be considered overweight, I feel judged and uncomfortable whenever I try to exercise outdoors. As much as we want to be weight neutral, some people are already living with trauma. We need to walk some things back, e.g. by having services purposefully for overweight people, especially at gyms etc.

dianazaato — 2024-02-13 16:04:16 UTC

2024-02-13 16:04:17 UTC

Where are the "healthcare" hospitals/clinics at with this information? Does there seem to be any MN healthcare systems that are more cutting edge in accepting/making changes around this topic?

2024-02-13 16:04:36 UTC

I would very much like a copy of the presenter's slide deck. SO much great information.

I appreciate having more language to discuss this topic in work and personal settings. Fat-phobia is so ingrained in our society that I think a lot of people don't even think about what their words mean and how that impacts others.

2024-02-13 16:04:42 UTC

Thinking about our funding source of the legislature for SHIP, who may not be of the weight neutral mindset. How to we continue to walk the fine line of getting funding, while pushing back?

2024-02-13 16:04:59 UTC

2024-02-13 16:05:06 UTC

Lets get into good trouble and be the leaders on this in the state enterprise!!

Weight is also highly cultural, and the concept as defined may not hold true for all cultures.

2024-02-13 16:05:21 UTC

The possible thought in the public's mind that without obesity/weight as a measure, what need is there to increase healthy food or exercise

2024-02-13 16:05:22 UTC

Would love to send this to my cardiologist. Seems as though he needs to be taught about how it does not all relate to weight.

2024-02-13 16:05:48 UTC

I'm interested to hear about what states or local agencies are doing to push back on federal systems that perpetuate anti-fatness and put a lot of funding into weight loss.

2024-02-13 16:06:08 UTC

Thank you Selena and the Weight Inclusivity Work Group!

2024-02-13 16:06:39 UTC

The absence of a clear public health policy on the topic.

2024-02-13 16:07:37 UTC

I'm excited about the potential healing that this work can bring to individuals and society.

2024-02-13 16:10:49 UTC

2024-02-13 16:12:31 UTC

I think i have to re-program my thinking? We've been using language (obesity and overweight) the last 20 + years at MDH. This makes me nervous.

Relationships with food and size, and even physical activity, vary significantly across cultures. I think focusing on 'eating well, getting active and having fun' should be the goal.

dianazaato — 2024-02-13 16:14:47 UTC

2024-02-13 16:18:06 UTC

I think having more specific examples of how to talk about food/activities differently would be helpful

How can weight neutrality-inclusivity be applied with a health equity lens, focusing on different cultures/ethnicities?

dianazaato — 2024-02-13 16:19:17 UTC

It's exciting that this all ties together- focusing on nutrition and fun movement support mental wellness and physical wellness across groups. This is an important opportunity to shift the conversation.

2024-02-13 16:19:31 UTC

I worry that a focus on "evidence-based" or "data-driven" for these practices will derail the bigger picture, and ignores that the evidence isn't there yet because of fat bias. Research into obesity has been astronomical for decades, we are just catching up in this area.

2024-02-13 16:22:32 UTC

I worry that people will be resistant to this message, or try to center themselves around their trauma related to weight/ food, instead of thinking about the bigger picture systems that are the problem.

2024-02-13 16:24:12 UTC

Thinking about the Slow Food Movement and how that fits with Trauma Informed Practice - Could this be an approach we use in future SHIP design? Does this highlight cultural practices too? How does it align with health?

brianbluhm — 2024-02-13 16:25:00 UTC

How do we create effective message that isn't just black and white about food and health?

brianbluhm — 2024-02-13 16:25:32 UTC

Has there been any exploration of using percentiles (like during infancy) to describe or reference children's weight (or more importantly, growth status)?

dianazaato — 2024-02-13 17:15:51 UTC

If SHIP was established to address "obesity epidemic" and reduce those "costs" if we change the narrative, does it acknowledge that the program has failed, therefore is no longer relevant. Do we jeopardize our existence by changing the goal, in the eyes of the legislature?

2024-02-13 18:42:28 UTC

Public Health as an institution (APHA) still regards obesity as a disease. It's still closely aligned with clinical-thinking (AMA) in this regard.

2024-02-13 18:44:53 UTC

This represents an opportunity to cause less harm - Job #1

2024-02-13 18:45:36 UTC

Does body weight (not necessarily BMI) have any value in determining health or health status? Is our focus to decentralize weight or disregard it?

2024-02-13 18:48:22 UTC

We should be careful in getting between doctors and patients when it comes to our approach. We can't be perceived as suggesting people "not follow their doctor's guidance." That could be disastrous.

2024-02-13 18:51:01 UTC

There is some additional nuance to be considered. We shouldn't alienate or demonize people who are actively trying to lose weight. I see those folks as at risk for being described as fat phobic.

2024-02-13 18:53:32 UTC

Would we go so far as declining federal funding in grant work if those funding opportunities required health indicators like weight, or promoted weight loss as a goal?

2024-02-13 18:56:26 UTC