Training for dieticians

[Leadinglights]

The University I used to work at has a dietetics degree course and I just read about one of the new things they are getting the students to do. They have 'Fat Suits' which the students wear to carry out tasks in the simulation houses so they can experience the difficulty people with obesity have in doing everyday things. They are being taught how the language they use is important when referring to people with weight issues i.e. the condition they have is obesity not that they are obese.
It reminded me how important that first contact with the G P or diabetic nurse is when people are given their diabetes diagnosis, |I'm sure that influences how they engage with managing the condition.

 

[Christy]

I'm conflicted with this. I'm striving to move my weight from "obese" (hate that word too) to a normal BMI. In my case it's my diet/exercise that was at fault. The next/current pandemic is likely to be obesity so maybe some tough realities need to be realised whilst not being judgemental. How to get the right balance?....

 

[Ditto]

Good grief. No chanting You f... on the sidelines then? Tell it like it is I say.

 

[Drummer]

The thing is though - do they believe people when they answer the questions put to them?
From my point of view I don't care if the HCP understands what it is like to be over weight - how about they are sat down and told they are not telling the truth - that would perhaps make them realise just how distressing it is to struggle not just with weight but with the abuse thrown by HCPs who know with absolute certainty that they know better than their patients what they are eating.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Sounds really positive @Leadinglights!

And I’m pleased to learn that they are highlighting the important of using appropriate language, and avoiding blame, shame and stigma. Stigmatising language is really demotivating and will not help people to make positive changes but get them stuck in a rut of negative thinking about themselves