176: When Anti-Fat Bias Tears Families Apart

Thrive Beyond Size

Welcome back to the podcast, everyone! I’m very glad you’re here. I’ve been reading a book called “Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture” by Virginia Sole-Smith and even though I’m just a third of the way through it, it floors me every time I turn the page. The author is talking about the effects anti-fat bias can have on families and she shares some stories that break my heart. Imagine if your child was taken away from you because they’re fat. Just simply because of their body size. This nightmare was real for some families and I want to talk about weight discrimination and how harmful it can be.

One of the cases talked about in the book was the case of Anamarie Regino, a girl who was removed from her parents at a young age because of her size. State authorities decided her weight was a form of child abuse or neglect so they took her away. Anamarie’s parents fought back and argued that she had an undiagnosed medical condition that contributed to her size but it took months of court battle to return her to her family. I want to talk about how interventions like this and even well-intentioned health initiatives like Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign, which heavily emphasized the “epidemic” of childhood obesity, contribute to stigma and harm. I explore the myth that a child’s weight is the parent’s fault, the messages that being fat is inherently dangerous that are sent by interventions like Anamarie’s, and the impact all the discourse on weight and a specific mold of physical health has on children. So join me as I dive into why we need to speak out against anti-fat bias.

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About Dr. Michelle Tubman:

Dr. Michelle Tubman is certified by the American Board of Obesity Medicine, which means she understands exactly what's happening in your body when you diet. Although she does not provide any medical advice in her coaching programs, this knowledge gives her an edge over most coaches.

She also holds Level 1 and Level 2 Precision Nutrition coaching certifications which make her skilled at coaching nutrition, dietary change, and habit change in general. Realizing that emotional eating and bingeing are complicated for most of us, she also did training in mind-body and intuitive eating. Peace around food is possible.

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Resources discussed in this episode:

• “Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture” by Virginia Sole-Smith

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Learn more about Dr. Michelle Tubman and Wayza Health:

• Website: www.wayzahealth.com
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