Weight stigma and bias: A guide for pediatric clinicians

Area of Science:

• Pediatric healthcare
• Obesity medicine
• Health equity

Background:

• Weight stigma negatively impacts children and adolescents with obesity, affecting mental health, medical outcomes, and social well-being.
• Weight stigma within healthcare settings can damage the crucial relationship between providers and pediatric patients/families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide pediatric providers with evidence-based best practices for reducing weight stigma.
• To offer actionable strategies for healthcare professionals to combat weight bias in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Guidance derived from a review of cited references.
• Synthesis of existing literature to formulate best practices.

Main Results:

• Seven best practices for pediatric providers to reduce weight stigma were identified.
• Key strategies include self-assessment of weight bias, enhanced communication, and fostering an inclusive clinic environment.
• Additional recommendations involve organizational assessment, trauma screening, and collaboration with obesity medicine specialists.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare providers play a vital role in lessening the adverse impacts of weight stigma.
• Addressing both individual and institutional weight biases is crucial for improving patient care.
• The proposed recommendations aim to equip providers with tools to combat weight stigma effectively.