Weight Stigma and the Case for Health at Every Size

This chapter begins with the story of a 12-year-old girl whose routine sports physical became a traumatic experience. When healthcare clinicians focused solely on her weight status and labeled her “overweight,” the encounter triggered the development of an eating disorder, illustrating how weight-focused medical care can cause profound harm. The chapter explores the pervasive nature of weight stigma affecting children across multiple environments: schools, homes, and healthcare settings. It traces the troubling origins of weight bias to historical racism, revealing how discriminatory attitudes became embedded in our understanding of body size. The discussion critically examines the widespread misuse of BMI as a health assessment tool in both educational and medical contexts. A comprehensive review follows, detailing the extensive health consequences of weight stigma, including impacts on physical health, increased risk of eating disorders, and significant behavioral, psychological, and social effects on children. The chapter concludes by presenting Health at Every Size (HAES®) as an evidence-based alternative approach. Research supporting this paradigm shift demonstrates how focusing on health behaviors rather than weight can promote genuine well-being and health for children of all sizes.