#70: How can we change the conversation around weight-based teasing?

with Jessica Saunders

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In this episode we discuss…

  • Why the world needs more feminist trained developmental psychologists

  • What is the role of nature vs nurture according to developmental systems theory 

  • What is the impact of weight-based teasing and bullying 

  • How does weight-based bullying interact with other marginalized identities 

  • How teachers feel unprepared to talk about health and wellness in the classroom 

  • Why it’s important to unpair health and weight 

  • Jessica’s work with the Comprehensive School Health Framework 

  • The harm of “fat talk” and body-based teasing 

  • Why can teachers do in the classroom to prevent weight stigma and create a positive environment?

  • How to resist diet culture 

  • Jessica’s recommended resources for listeners

     


This week we’re joined by Jessica Saunders, a feminist trained developmental scientist working to promote positive developmental outcomes across the lifespan and identify ways that negative body experiences can be improved. We discuss the effect of weight-based teasing in school and how teachers are unprepared to have these conversations with students. But who teaches the teachers? Listeners will learn about Jessica’s research on the Comprehensive School Health Approach and how we can work towards weight-neutral health promotion.

Jessica Saunders is currently an Assistant Professor of Psychological Science at the Georgia College and State University She is the principal investigator of the GIIRLab: Gender and Intersectional Image Research Lab. As an applied feminist-trained developmental psychologist, her program of research aims to optimize the developmental and health outcomes of girls and women across the lifespan. She investigates the impact of a broad spectrum of sociocultural factors, including media, social media, school, family, peers, and cultural beliefs and messages on both disordered eating and eating disorder (ED) recovery trajectories.

Connect with Jessica on Twitter and her Website.

Resources mentioned or recommended:

Jordan Best