S25-200 The Intersection of Eating Disorders, Weight Stigma and Diet Culture

Instructor

Agenda & Learning Objectives

AGENDA:

8:50 – 9:00 Log on 

9:00 – 10:30  

Introduction (15 minutes) 

• Introduction of the presenter 

• Background on how the presenter began exploring these topics 

• Disclaimer

Learning Objectives (10 minutes) 

• Objective 1: Understand the Interplay Between Eating Disorders, Weight Stigma, and Diet Culture 

• Objective 2: Identify and Reflect on Personal and Professional Biases 

• Objective 3: Apply Strategies to Address Weight Stigma and Diet Culture in Practice 

Section I: Understanding the Interplay Between Eating Disorders, Weight Stigma, and Diet Culture (50 minutes) 

• Overview of Eating Disorders (EDs) 

  • Brief overview of DSM key criteria for Eds 

• Definitions of Key Terms 

  • Fatphobia, weight stigma (forms and consequences), weight bias (relation to weight stigma), diet culture (what it is, where it shows up, consequences) BMI, thin ideal, obesity, and the problematic nature of these concepts 

• Theoretical Lenses and Historical Context 

  • Psychology, sociology, and nutrition perspectives 

  • Historical context of fatphobia and diet culture 

• Impact of Weight Stigma and Diet Culture 

  • How weight stigma contributes to Eds 

  • Influence on ED diagnosis and treatment 

  • Effects on mental health 

• Intersectionality and Systems of Oppression 

  • Understanding how race, gender, socioeconomic status, and beauty standards intersect with body diversity 

  • Role of systems of oppression (racism, sexism, classism, ableism) in weight stigma and Eds 

  • Specific effects of these intersections on experiences with weight stigma and EDs 

10:30 – 10:45 Break  

10:45 – 12:15  

Section II: Identify and Reflect on Personal and Professional Biases (50 minutes) 

• Objective II Overview 

  • Introduce the objective to identify and reflect on personal and professional biases 

• Exploring Personal Weight Biases 

  • Self-reflection exercise: Bring awareness to personal weight bias 

  • Common weight biases in mental health professionals 

• Impact of Weight Bias in Therapy 

  • Recognizing diet culture in clinical practice 

  • Client experiences of weight bias in therapy 

  • Importance of self-reflection for therapists 

• Health at Every Size (HAES) Overview 

  • Introduction to HAES principles 

  • Applying a HAES lens to common client scenarios 

Section III: Apply Strategies to Address Weight Stigma and Diet Culture in Practice (50 minutes) 

• Objective III Overview 

  • Introduce strategies to address bias in practice 

• Practical Strategies and Applications 

  • Use inclusive language and respect patient preferences 

  • Create a supportive environment in therapy and treatment settings 

  • Educate and advocate against diet culture 

• Challenging Diet Culture in Practice Environments 

  • Strategies for challenging diet culture in professional settings 

  • Case studies and examples of effective interventions 

• Navigating Difficult Conversations 

  • Scenarios involving addressing diet culture and weight stigma with clients 

  • Ensuring inclusive and culturally competent care 

• When to Refer to an Eating Disorder Specialist 

  • Key considerations for referral 

  • Common misconceptions, misdiagnosis, and underdiagnosed cases 

  • Importance of specialized knowledge in ED management 

• Action Planning: Integrating Learnings into Practice (15 minutes) 

  • Developing personal action plans for integrating new knowledge 

• Resources and Key Takeaways (10 minutes) 

  • Provide a list of resources for further reading and support 

  • Summarize key points 

  • Open Floor for Questions and Discussion (15 minutes) 

12:15 Adjournment 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon the completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Recognize how insights from psychology, sociology, and nutrition perpetuate harmful narratives and societal expectations related to body image and weight.  

• Recognize personal weight biases and evaluate how diet culture has influenced personal beliefs and professional practices.  

• Implement practical strategies for addressing weight stigma and diet culture in participants’ professional contexts, including when to refer individuals to specialized eating disorder services.  

Bibliography & References

BIBLIOGRAPHY & REFERENCES

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AMA Journal of Ethics. (2023). The ethics of using body mass index in clinical settings. AMA Journal of Ethics, 25(7), E550-558. https://doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2023.550

Arterburn, D. E., & Courcoulas, A. P. (2014). Bariatric surgery for obesity and metabolic conditions in adults. BMJ, 349, g3961. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g3961

Bacon, L. (2014). Health at every size: The surprising truth about your weight. BenBella Books.

Bacon, L., & Aphramor, L. (2011). Weight science: Evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift. Nutrition Journal, 10(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-9

Balducci, S., Zanuso, S., Cardelli, P., et al. (2012). Changes in physical fitness predict improvements in modifiable cardiovascular risk factors independently of body weight loss in subjects with type 2 diabetes participating in the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study (IDES). Diabetes Care, 35(6), 1347-1354. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc11-2427

Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable weight: Feminism, Western culture, and the body. University of California Press.

Braveman, P., & Gottlieb, L. (2014). The social determinants of health: It’s time to consider the causes of the causes. Public Health Reports, 129(2), 19-31. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549141291S206

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Carels, R. A., Burmeister, J., Oehlhof, M. W., Hinman, N., LeRoy, M., Bannon, E., Koball, A., & Ashrafloun, L. (2013). Internalized weight bias: Ratings of the self, normal weight, and obese individuals and psychological maladjustment. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 36(1), 86-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9402-8

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De Brun, A., McCarthy, M., McKenzie, K., & McGloin, A. (2013). “Fat is your fault”: Gatekeepers to health, attributions of responsibility, and the portrayal of gender in the Irish media representation of obesity. Appetite, 62, 17-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2012.11.005

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Flegal, K. M., Kit, B. K., Orpana, H., & Graubard, B. I. (2013). Association of all-cause mortality with overweight and obesity using standard body mass index categories: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA, 309(1), 71-82. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2012.113905

Gaudiani, J. L. (2021). Sick enough: A guide to the medical complications of eating disorders. Routledge.

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Hebebrand, J., Albayrak, Ö., Adan, R., Antel, J., Dieguez, C., de Jong, J., Leng, G., Menzies, J., Mercer, J., Murphy, M., van der Plasse, G., & Dickson, S. (2014). “Eating addiction,” rather than “food addiction,” better captures addictive-like eating behavior. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 47, 295-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2014.08.016

Heuer, C. A., McClure, K. J., & Puhl, R. M. (2011). Obesity stigma in online news: A visual content analysis. Journal of Health Communication, 16(9), 976-987. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2011.561915

Henderson, Z. B., Fox, J. R. E., Trayner, P., & Wittkowski, A. (2019). Emotional development in eating disorders: A qualitative metasynthesis. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, 26(4), 440–457. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2365

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Lee, K. M., Hunger, J. M., & Tomiyama, A. J. (2021). Weight stigma and health behaviors: Evidence from the Eating in America Study. International Journal of Obesity, 45(7), 1499–1509. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41366-021-00814-5

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Course Completion & CE Information

Category I Maryland BSWE Requirement

The Office of Continuing Professional Education at the University Of Maryland School Of Social Work is authorized by the Board of Social Work Examiners in Maryland to sponsor social work continuing education programs. This workshop qualifies for 3 Category I Continuing Education Units. The Office of Continuing Professional Education is also authorized by the Maryland Board of Psychologists and the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors to sponsor Category A continuing professional education.

Please refer to the tab "Live Interactive Webinar Policies & FAQs" for UMSSW Office of CPE policies regarding all live interactive webinar related matters.

Target Audience

Social Workers, LCPCs, and Psychologists

We welcome anyone interested in the topic!

Late Fees and Refunds

The base price is $70, which includes CE credit.  

Late Fee: On 2/13/2025, a non-refundable late fee of $20 is added to the base price. Late fees cannot be refunded or applied to account credit.  

Cancellations: **ALL cancellations will be subjected to a $35.00 administration fee.**  To be eligible for a refund or CPE account credit, cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the workshop. 

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Evaluation

Participants will have access to the evaluation after attendance has been verified. Evaluations will be available for one (1) week after the workshop has ended.  

After one (1) week, participants will no longer have access to the evaluation and will have to contact CPE about reactivation.