Body talk

A couple of weeks ago the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) released new guidelines for childhood obesity. I ignored the articles that began circulating with completely out-of-touch, sensational headlines. Headlines that were saying the AAP now recommends medication and surgery to combat childhood obesity. I felt angry and annoyed because I know that there is so much more to consider when it comes to human bodies. And focusing on obesity really shouldn’t be any focus because the obsession with size and BMI is rooted in racism (see: NPR article, My Body Is Not An Apology and Fearing the Black Body and the podcast Body Justice for Clinicians (and likely many others). Also, there are several other indicators of disease that we could be focusing on instead of size taking that spotlight. And if size needs to be a part of the equation, then how about the why? Why are we seeing obesity and what can we do to heal this root cause? Not put a bandaid on obesity but heal the part that led to obesity.

In my frustration, I started writing and rewriting this blog post. And then I looked up the guidelines myself to get a feeling for the tone of this body of work. My interpretation of the guidelines felt more palatable than the articles that were out. I think their recommendations were comprehensive, to a point that I can’t understand why the media didn’t take the time to read through them and provide not only more accurate information but also the human side of health and wellbeing. It wasn’t just the media who latched onto the negative, some people in the fitness world did, too.

Aside from some fitness pros and the media stoking fear, fat phobia, and privilege which was apparent in the many conversations circulating, I had hope because the guidelines did seem to take into account the diverse human experience. However, I would have loved to see more of a focus on promoting mind body health (not size or BMI) through not only health behavior education but through healing and supporting traumas, neurodiversity, physical disabilities, inequity, landscapes (food deserts, access, home life, etc…) And what I would really love is for the obesity talk to be about healing and supporting.

I think mental health is more of a crisis than obesity. Like, let’s not even call it obesity. Let’s not even focus on that. Let’s not put all the money into that. Let’s give kids and families the best supportive, healing environment with resources to grow health and wellbeing instead of “combating childhood obesity.” A decade ago, as a young uninformed mom, I did latch on to those words. But I’ve learned a lot since then and I wish others, especially the medical community would, too.

So, I’d like to see the AAP say, ‘Hey, there. We see the problems in the world. We see and acknowledge all of the ways a human experiences life, especially after a pandemic, and we are here to support you. We are going to equip the medical community with the necessary tools to help you in the best possible way - support, resources, security and stability, equity and equality, therapies, understanding and empathy, care, funding, community, and all the things one needs to thrive in life and as a growing human. Because those are the real problems.’ Reality check, living without those things are what cause obesity and other physical and emotional conditions and diseases.

Let’s understand that every body is different. Let’s understand that sometimes a body IS and that IS beautiful. Sometimes there are other factors at play that cause disordered eating, like anorexia, bulimia, and also over consumption. Whenever there is a “problem” there is always an underlying thing that needs attention, love, and support. Not a “let’s fix superficially or mask it” but actually heal it.

Let me know what you think.

Peace.