#7: How do I really feel about fat?
with Rebecca Puhl, PhD
In this episode we discuss:
the definitions of fat phobia and weight bias
stereotypes associated with thin bodies and larger bodies, and how these biases play out in the media, employment, and healthcare
how to avoid using stigmatizing or harmful language to discuss weight
physical and mental health consequences for children who experience weight bias from their parents
what parents can do if they realize they have weight bias
types of weight-based teasing and bullying
what parents can do if their child is being teased or bullied because of weight
how to advocate at your child’s school and at the state level for weight to be included in anti-bullying policies
Dr. Rebecca Puhl helps us define fat phobia, explore how parents can develop awareness of their own biases, and identify ways to support children who experience teasing or bullying because of their weight.
Get our guide to body-positive parenting, including the page for this podcast episode.
Dr. Rebecca Puhl is Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Connecticut and the Deputy Director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity. Dr. Puhl leads research and policy efforts aimed at reducing weight-based discrimination, stigma, and victimization. Dr. Puhl received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Yale University. She has conducted research on weight stigma for over 16 years and has over 100 publications on topics including weight-based bullying in youth, the impact of weight stigma on emotional and physical health, weight stigma in health care and the media, and interventions and policy strategies to reduce weight-based bullying and discrimination. As an international research expert on weight bias, Dr. Puhl has testified in legislative hearings on weight discrimination and routinely provides expertise on strategies to reduce weight bias to national and international health organizations. She has also developed evidence-based trainings to reduce weight stigma in health care that have been implemented in medical facilities across the U.S., and her work is routinely cited in the national media.
Learn more about the Rudd Center’s work on their website, Facebook, and Twitter.