Skip to 3 minutes 30 seconds for the start of the training

Books mentioned:

• Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison

• Belly of the Beast by DaShaun L Harrison

Other links mentioned:

• 28 Benefits of Being Fat: https://www.instagram.com/p/CtLARDESZtE/

• Is the "Ob*sity" Epidemic Real? https://www.instagram.com/p/C-B3uhHSeqI/?img_index=1

• Determinants of health: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeUFtCmgCaM/?img_index=1

Once you click on any link below, it'll take you to Fathom, and in Fathom you can click on the summary to go to the actual section where we talk about that topic. On the 3rd tab in Fathom, under the video is "Ask Fathom" where you can ask questions about the training. For example, "What did Vinny say about SMART goals?" and it'll give you a summary.

Meeting Purpose

To provide education and strategies for unlearning weight bias and improving body image.

Key Takeaways

• Body image is influenced by multiple factors beyond just physical appearance, including identity, mental health, body changes, and interactions with the world

• Anti-fat bias exists at personal, interpersonal, institutional and ideological levels in society

• Examining and challenging our beliefs about fatness is key to improving body image

• Making small, achievable goals to change behaviors around body image can be more effective than just learning information

Topics

Understanding Body Image Influences

• Body image is impacted by identity (age, gender, race, culture), mental health, body changes, actual body, and interactions with the world

• Participants reflected on which factors most impact their own body image and self-esteem

• Examples given of how cultural identity, mental health struggles, weight changes, and societal interactions shaped the presenter's body image

Levels of Anti-Fat Bias

• Personal/internalized: Negative self-talk, trying not to be fat, believing smaller bodies are morally superior

• Interpersonal: Shaming from others, rejection, fat jokes, being told to lose weight

• Institutional: Denied access to healthcare, employment, adoption, etc. based on size

• Ideological: Deep societal belief that fat is bad and fat people don't deserve dignity

Examining Our Beliefs About Fatness

• Our beliefs about fatness are like suitcases filled with "evidence" from our lives

• Need to unpack these beliefs and examine where they came from

• Look for thoughts that reveal anti-fat bias (e.g. "I'd be happier if I was thinner")

• Challenge these beliefs by seeking out different perspectives

Taking Action to Improve Body Image

• Many people get stuck in "constant learner mode" without taking action

• Identify behaviors you avoid due to body image (e.g. swimming, dating)

• Set small, specific SMART goals to gradually change behaviors

• Build evidence that challenges negative beliefs about your body

Health, Weight and Anti-Fat Bias

• Fatness is associated with some health conditions, but causation is not proven

• Anti-fat bias in healthcare likely contributes to worse outcomes for fat people

• Body size is only one small factor in overall health

• Focus on health-promoting behaviors rather than weight loss

Attractiveness and Dating While Fat

• Some people will find fat bodies unattractive, but others will find them very attractive

• Less people may be attracted to fat bodies due to societal bias

• Fat bodies can be seen as beautiful, interesting, and visually appealing

• Dating while fat can screen out people with anti-fat bias

Next Steps

• Reflect on which factors most influence your own body image

• Examine your beliefs about fatness and seek out alternative perspectives

• Set a small, achievable SMART goal to change a body image-related behavior

• Look into resources like Health at Every Size for a weight-neutral approach to health

• Consider ways to engage with fat-positive communities and media