#179: When Healthcare Causes Harm: Anti-Fat Bias in Medicine with Vinny Welsby

Aug 4

Written By Abbie Attwood

Vinny Welsby (@fiercefatty) joins me for a lot of laughs this week, but mostly for a deeply important conversation about the dangers of weight-centric medical care.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit abbieattwoodwellness.substack.com

Tune in this week for more on:

* How Vinny discovered fat liberation—and the moment everything started to shift

* What food, culture, and identity have to do with our bodies and our healing

* The sneaky and not-so-sneaky ways anti-fat bias shows up in healthcare settings

* Real stories of how fat folks are dismissed, harmed, or ignored in medical appointments

* Why microaggressions in healthcare aren't "small" at all—and how they add up over time

Behind the paywall, we get into so much more, including:

* What happens when people avoid care because of past trauma with providers

* The dangerous myths doctors are taught about fatness and health

* How weight stigma impacts health outcomes—and what the research really says about the link between weight and health outcomes

* What it means to navigate medical spaces with self-compassion and agency

* Hopeful shifts happening in healthcare—and what fat-affirming care can look like

* Strategies for protecting your peace and advocating for yourself in the exam room

About Vinny:

Vinny Welsby (they/them) is a world-leading expert on dismantling anti-fat bias and diet-culture, TEDx speaker, and best-selling author. They went from being homeless and abused with self-esteem that was achingly low into the courageous fat activist and change maker they are today. Vinny helps people fall in love with their bodies and is dedicated to shifting the way society views fat queer bodies.

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