What is weight-inclusive care and how does it differ from the care I may have received in the past?
Weight-inclusive care gives clients the tools to focus on behaviors within their control, rather than on weight-related goals that may or may not be achievable. Many people desire to be treated under a weight-inclusive care lens, but don’t know to look for it.
To best understand weight-inclusive care, let’s start off with what it is NOT.
- Weight-inclusive care is NOT weighed the normative model of care.
- The weight normative model tends to promote weight stigma and leave clients without the tools they need to manage their condition. Under the weight normative model of care, weight reduction is viewed as the main intervention and determinant of health.
- Weight-inclusive care is NOT about weight loss or weight cycling.
- What is weight cycling? Basically, another word for yo-yo dieting. The idea of losing the weight on a diet and then gaining it back after. Then losing it again, then gaining it back, etc. The majority of individuals who take the initiative to lose weight are unable to maintain their lower weight. About 80% of people regain at least part of it within the year. 95% will regain in about 5 years. This leads to frustration and a lower self-image, as well as a slowed metabolism, making weight loss (the original goal) being all the more difficult.
- Weight-inclusive care is NOT about body shaming
- There’s tons of evidence that focus on health independent of weight does lead to healthier habits. Based on current evidence, any sort of shaming language from any medical professional is absolutely inappropriate, and even detrimental, to use with a patient
Weight-inclusive care focuses on behavior-based interventions rather than weight. Under this model, a person diagnosed with a medical condition would be educated on the specific nutrition needs and lifestyle changes for that specific medical condition regardless of their body size. Weight is not a behavior and is determined by a complex set of factors, some of which are out of our control.
Medical research studies comparing this approach to the weight normative approach show significantly improved health outcomes in groups receiving weight-inclusive care compared to weight normative care. You deserve to receive the best care possible, which is why we use a weight-inclusive approach with every client.
Ready to ditch the diet and the weight cycling life? We are here to help and ready to support you!
Contact us today to make an appointment with one of our dietitians.
Adrien Paczosa is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian practicing in Austin, Texas and the surrounding counties.
She is the owner and founder of I Live Well Nutrition her Dietitian practice which started in 2007 and serves clients in the Austin, Texas area in two locations. Fearless Practitioners, the division of her business that offers training to dietitians and wellness professionals.