BDA Conversations
New research led by our BDA Obesity Specialist Group Chair, Adrian Brown, of University College London, alongside Stuart W. Flint has revealed some interesting findings about weight stigma within the dietetic workforce. The research has been shared in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics this week.
📢 Just in on JHND early view: A study led by Adrian Brown @BrownAdey from @ucl (https://t.co/OUKBwuyX6F) & Chair of @BDA_obesity found weight stigma is experienced across the weight spectrum & influences #dietetics career decisions and confidence. https://t.co/Ozv56zHfZv https://t.co/nmdZICKR16 pic.twitter.com/NvCfqphB09
— Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (@JHND_Official) August 9, 2024
In response to this research, Chair of the BDA and Registered Dietitian, Caroline Bovey says, “Weight stigma can affect anyone and this research featuring 400 dietitians’ views demonstrates that the dietetic workforce itself is not immune to its impact, both personally and professionally.
“In the field of health care where a person’s weight is a common topic of discussion, it is critical that staff feel supported and empowered to, not only deliver important messages to their patients and clients in a non-stigmatising empathetic way, but also that they themselves do not face the same discrimination based on their weight.
“Whilst not a protected characteristic, professional development and opportunities should never be determined by a person’s weight, nor should staff face comments from peers or managers, which is of concern. We’d like to see workplaces directly addressing this, by providing a welcoming, supportive culture that allows their workforce to flourish.
“We are acutely aware that there is much work to be done by the dietetic workforce, from a training perspective but also professionally, collectively and individually to tackle biases, with patients, colleagues and also, as the research shows, in ourselves.
“It is an essential part of dietetic practice to be inclusive, non-stigmatising and empathetic to patient and client needs. However, it’s only through greater knowledge, awareness and dialogue that we will tackle weight stigma head on.”
