Teaching health psychology from a size-acceptance perspective

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article suggests ways health psychology instructors can challenge the prevailing discourse of the “obesity epidemic” as a major risk factor for chronic illness. Textbooks generally support messages about the “dangers” of a body mass index above “normal,” and therefore students will only hear countermessages if the instructor provides them. Suggestions include naming and rejecting healthism, explaining why diets do not work, providing evidence that oppression (including sizeism) has negative impacts on health, and connecting sizeism to other topics in the textbook. Practicing size acceptance and adopting the Health At Every Size® philosophy are more likely than diets, pills, or surgeries to support people’s health.