Let’s Come Together: Uniting Dietitians to Combat Weight Bias

Sunday, October 18
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Central Time)
Location:
CE: 1.0
Level 2 (intermediate knowledge/experience)
Activity Code: 157507
Course Tracks: Community and Population Health

Two out of three adults have overweight or obesity, so most nutrition professionals will work with individuals affected at some point. The development of obesity is complex, requiring a multifaceted approach to providing support, prevention, and treatment. This session will take a nuanced look at forms of explicit and implicit bias among health care providers, specifically nutrition professionals. Speakers will analyze rarely discussed forms of systemic weight bias, including social determinants and healthcare policy. The panel will also review how these forms of bias impact our clients and patients and what we can do about it.
In recognizing that no single approach to obesity and health will work for every individual, speakers will review the importance of patient-centeredness and shared decision-making for overcoming bias in obesity care.

Regardless of clinical approach, weight bias is a significant issue that impacts the people we care for in our practices. Because to truly make an impact on reducing weight bias, it’s going to take all of us; nutrition professionals are poised to lead the charge. So, let’s put away our debate materials, walk away from our respective corners, and come together to work towards changing this pervasive problem.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify instances of clinician and systemic weight bias in current practices and policy
  • Describe the impact of weight bias on individual outcomes
  • Apply strategies to reduce weight bias across the spectrum of care

Performance Indicators:

  • 3.2.3 Pursues and embraces opportunities to
    advance practice.
  • 8.2.3 Implements individualized services to reflect
    customer-centered approach as it pertains to the
    customer’s physical, social, cultural, institutional and
    economic environment.
  • 1.3.1 Applies strategies that engage the customer in
    a collaborative approach.

    Moderator(s)

  • Let’s Come Together: Uniting Dietitians to Combat Weight Bias -

    Theodore Kyle, RPh, MBA

    ConscienHealth

    • Speaker(s)

  • Let’s Come Together: Uniting Dietitians to Combat Weight Bias -

    Rebecca Pearl, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry

    Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

  • Let’s Come Together: Uniting Dietitians to Combat Weight Bias -

    Kellene Isom, PhD, MS, RD, LDN, CAGS

    Assistant Professor

    California State Polytechnic University Pomona

  • Let’s Come Together: Uniting Dietitians to Combat Weight Bias -

    Colleen Tewksbury, PhD, MPH, RD, CSOWM, LDN

    Senior Research Investigator

    Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania