interviewed about providing weight management counseling. Some challenges Part 4: Talking about Weight with Patients o How to have a productive conversation about weight bias o How to Talk to Parents about their Child's Weight o How to talk to your doctor about weight o If you have ever been a target of weight bias in health care o How to talk with your doctor Visit these Rudd Center resources: Share these resources with your patients: Talking about weight can be a challenge, for both patients and providers. Certain words to describe body weight may be perceived as judgmental or blameful by patients, which can in turn jeopardize important discussions about health. Many physicians report having little training on obesity,12-15 and as a result may be reluctant to initiate conversations about weight, feel anxiety or discomfort in raising the topic, or unsure about how to discuss weight-related health in ways that are empowering and supportive to patients.16-19 4 Instead of starting the conversation like this, Try initiating a conversation like this, û Mrs. S., we need to talk about your obesity. û Mr. J, you haven’t lost any weight. We need to discuss your weight problem ü Mrs. S., would it be okay if we talk about your weight? ü Mr. J., how are you feeling about your weight at this time? ü How does your weight affect your quality of life? To help increase patients’ comfort level in discussing weight, try asking, ü People have different preferences when it comes to talking about their body weight. Are there any words that you would prefer that I use to talk about your weight? ü Are you comfortable if I use terms like ‘weight’ and ‘BMI’? Part 4: Initiating Discussions about Weight Considerations for how to approach conversations about weight: Resource for Discussions about Weight: Strategies to Overcome and Prevent (STOP) Obesity Alliance’s “Why Weight? A Guide to Discussing Obesity & Health with Your Patients” provides useful examples of conversation starters to, - Build rapport - Begin discussions about weight - Address realistic goals - Discuss culture, tradition, and social support 5 Part 4: Given that people-first language affects attitudes and behavioral intentions toward persons with disability,20 it is standard to address the person first (e.g., as “person with a disability”), rather than labeling the individual by his or her condition. Such labelling of individuals by their obesity can exacerbate the already pervasive extent of weight bias in health care. By adopting people-first language, health professionals can treat patients with obesity the same respect and dignity as patients with other diseases. Think about times when you discuss obesity with other health professionals, trainees, or patients with obesity. People-First Language for Obesity Despite being widely adopted for most chronic diseases, and mental and physical disabilities, individuals with obesity are still largely referred to as “obese people” or “the obese.” Did you know… For example, in comparing search phrases in “Google Scholar” for research publications,21 phrases that “Diabetic people” “Obese people” “People with diabetes” “People with obesity” yields 5,550 results yields 30,400 results Puts people first Labels by Disease yields 121,000 results yields 2,000 results “Patients with obesity” “Treating the patient with obesity and diabetes” “Identifying treatments for individuals with obesity” “Obese patients” “Treating the obese diabetic” “Identifying treatments for the ‘obese’ Patients with obesity are often labeled by their disease and referred to as, Instead, try using people-first language and referring to your patients as, Person before the disease The following organizations support “People-First Language for Obesity” The Obesity Society, The Obesity Action Coalition, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, American Society of Bariatric Physicians, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. : 6 · Consider whether it is necessary to weigh and measure your patient by reviewing his or her medical chart o Have there been significant changes in weight or waist circumference between visits? o When was this information last documented? · If necessary, ask for permission o Do I have your permission to weigh and measure your waist circumference today? o Dr. X likes me to ask all the patients if it would be okay for me to measure your weight and waist circumference. Would this be okay with you? Part 4: Sensitive Weighing and Measuring Procedures Patients with obesity may feel anxious about being weighed and measured,22,23 and even avoid medical appointments for this reason.24 One study reported that 35% of women with obesity reported that having to be weighed was a reason they avoided medical appointments.24 Thus, it is important that providers, nurses, and medical assistants are sensitive during these procedures. For weighing and measuring your patients with obesity, Have you ever… Ø Asked for permission before the procedure? Ø Made an extra effort to find a private area that is away from other patients and staff? Ø Unintentionally made hurtful comments or jokes after seeing the numbers? Ø Asked if the patient would like to know their weight and waist circumference before telling them? Ø Offered to discuss their weight and/or health? During procedure: · Conduct weight measurements in a private location to ensure privacy ·