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This practical guide empowers parents, educators, and clinicians with the tools they require to free children and young adults from body shame and weight stigma.
Dr. Hartman delivers exactly what parents, educators and clinicians need: real conversations, proven scripts, protocols, and actionable strategies to navigate challenging discussions about bodies, food, and health, backed by medical expertise. This book is organized into targeted sections for different audiences and charts a path toward a future where young people can embrace ease and individuality, free from diets and societal expectations about bodies.
Drawing from both scientific research and real-world practice, the book presents a compelling case for weight-neutral care that respects the diversity of human bodies while promoting sustainable health. Designed to be accessible and efficient with clearly organized sections, concise summaries, and ready-to-use resources for each context, it offers strategies for repair when conversations about weight and health haven't gone as intended. Whether you're a doctor in an exam room, a parent at the dinner table, or a teacher in a classroom, this book will help you feel confident and prepared to have these conversations in a way that prioritizes health without perpetuating stigma or harm.
List of contents
Introduction: Why this Book? 1. Weight Stigma and the Case for Health at Every Size 2. The Medical Setting: Reimagining the Clinician-Patient Relationship 3. Conversations That Heal: Communication Tools for Healthcare Clinicians 4. The Family Setting: Creating a Weight-Neutral Home Environment 5. Conversations That Nurture: Communication Tools for Parents and Caregivers 6. The Educational Setting: Building Inclusive School Environments 7. Conversations That Empower: Communication Tools for Educators 8. Special Considerations: Supporting Children with Complex Needs 9. When Harm Has Occurred: Strategies for Repair and Recovery 10. Advocacy and Systems Change: Creating Wider Impact
About the author
Dr. Lauren Hartman is double board-certified in pediatrics and adolescent medicine. She owns a private practice in California and specializes in eating disorder prevention and treatment.
