Sensitively addressing weight concerns with clients: Guidance for Health care Professionals
By Monica Mc Daniel-Wong, Credentialled Diabetes Educator
Being outside a healthy weight range can have significant implications for overall health and may contribute to various negative health outcomes. Increased body fat, for example, can reduce insulin sensitivity and raise the risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Navigating discussions about weight with clients requires sensitivity and skill. Here are some tips that can assist you in broaching this subject with care.
1. Acknowledge biases and stereotypes: Recognise and address any personal biases or societal prejudices surrounding weight.
2. Present the facts: Provide information from reputable sources and explain the importance of reducing body size for overall health.
3. Seek permission and assess readiness: Before delving into the topic, ensure the client is comfortable discussing weight and is ready to engage in such conversations. Timing and readiness are crucial factors.
4: Focus on health improvement: Frame the conversations around enhancing health and preventing complications. Highlight positive aspects and their progress.
5. Use non-judgmental language: Avoid blame and stigmatising language. For example, use neutral terms to describe larger bodies. Instead of heavy, fat, overweight or obese use “weight” or “carrying too much weight for good health”. Offer to help them “lower” their weight instead of “improve” their weight. Talk about reaching a “healthier weight range” instead of an “ideal weight”. Discuss whether they have “excess weight” instead of a “weight problem”.
6. Discuss eating habits and barriers: They may have barriers to having a healthy diet such as cost, availability, or lack of knowledge. Use reputable diet resources.
7. Talk about physical activity: Their history, preferences, the need for having more energy expenditure. Highlight activity benefits.
8. Discuss treatment options: Document and prioritise potential interventions, starting with achievable SMARTER goals.
9. Encourage professional support: Recommend seeking assistance from various professionals, including a medical practitioner, counsellor, dietitian, diabetes educator, life coach, or an exercise physiologist. This will depend on your client’s individual needs. They could be referred to a comprehensive metabolic clinic. These clinics are often at the larger public hospitals. Here are links to clinics at Westmead and Royal Prince Alfred.
10. Build rapport and offer ongoing support: Foster a supportive relationship, schedule a follow-up appointment.
Approaching discussions about weight with sensitivity and empathy can empower clients to make positive changes. By employing these tips, HPs can effectively support clients on their journey towards achieving a healthier lifestyle.
For further information Weight management conversations with primary healthcare providers; Obesity Collective Insights 2022.