{"id":4125,"date":"2024-03-13T15:24:17","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T15:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/?p=4125"},"modified":"2024-03-13T15:24:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-13T15:24:17","slug":"body-shaming-hurts-more-than-just-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/body-shaming-hurts-more-than-just-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Body Shaming Hurts More Than Just You"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"attachment_4126\" style=\"width: 801px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4126\" class=\"wp-image-4126 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You-791x1024.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You-791x1024.png 791w, https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You-232x300.png 232w, https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You-768x994.png 768w, https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You-1187x1536.png 1187w, https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/Body-Shaming-Hurts-More-Than-Just-You.png 1484w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-4126\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>Learn more about weight loss surgery at Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians || www.RMAP.com || (801) 268-3800<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Anyone else have the old saying, \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,\u201d engraved into them from elementary school? If only this adage had more truth to it, right?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Overweight people can have a number of physical or psychological complication that can impact their body. For example, some medical conditions and medications can contribute to weight gain. Any kind of trauma and abuse can trigger the development of eating disorders. Even factors where perhaps one is unable to afford quality whole foods, and then this can lead to relying on \u201cfast-foods,\u201d or \u201ccheap foods.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">All in all, we don\u2019t always know everyone\u2019s story, or what they are going through. Words do hurt. They hold meaning. And when those words are used to shame someone else\u2019s body image, the harm can go much deeper than the feeling of hurt.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000080; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>What is Body Shaming?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">The dictionary defines body shaming as to \u201cmock or stigmatize (someone) by making critical comments about the shape, size, or appearance of their body.\u201d This can be about your own body or someone else\u2019s. Body shaming can even go as far as harmful commentary on a person\u2019s age, hair, clothes, or the level of perceived attractiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Research shows that exposure to weight stigma triggers physiological and behavioral changes connected to poor metabolic health and increased weight gain.<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6565398\/\">1<\/a><\/sup> Cortisol\u2014the body\u2019s main stress hormone\u2014will spike, self-control decreases, and the risk of binge eating increases.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000080; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Effects of Body Shaming<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Body shaming has countless negative and sometimes damaging consequences on a person\u2019s health. Such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Youths who are body shamed have a considerably elevated risk of depression.<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/\">2<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Research has shown that body shaming can lead to eating disorders.<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Weight stigmas can worsen the outcomes for obese women attempting to overcome binge eating.<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27423819\/\">4<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Dissatisfaction with one\u2019s body caused by body shaming can cause low self-esteem.<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2923488\/\">5<\/a><\/sup><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">It can also include mental health concerns like anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, depression, higher risk of self-harm or suicide, poorer quality of life due to body dissatisfaction, and psychological distress.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 18pt; color: #000080; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Ways You Can Help<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Speak up, and stand up, when you see or hear any act of body shaming. Making it a point about not engaging in various types of shaming can lead to improved mental wellness.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Stop Commenting on Other People\u2019s Bodies<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Unfortunately, body size comments, even those that are meant to be harmless or innocent, can lead to a more negative body image in children and adults. Notice your thoughts and acknowledge your own conditioning, bias, and\/or judgements. Practice to expand and strengthen respect, care, and compassion for yourself and others. Make it an intentional effort to notice what you like, appreciate, or admire about yourself and others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Change Your Self-Talk<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Our culture can put so much emphasis on what is wrong with us and needs improvement. This can feel like a huge challenge to speak positively about ourselves and our bodies. But by practicing positive speech within ourselves and our bodies, and by noticing qualities about ourselves and others that we admire and appreciate, we can strengthen enhance our care, compassion, and connections with others and with ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Speak Up<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">This is the same as with all other instances in life, that when you see someone else causing harm, you will speak up and help\u2014provided it\u2019s emotionally and physically safe for you to do so.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>How to Cope with Body Shaming<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">It\u2019s important to know that no one should feel ashamed about how they look. If you are someone experiencing body shaming, you are not alone. There are things you can do to take care of yourself:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Be Aware.<\/strong> A lot of marketing companies like to promote the \u201cperfect body.\u201d Be aware of the language used in these ads, and help identify\u2014and stop\u2014any body shaming you\u2019ve internalized and may be repeating to yourself.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Positive Self-Talk.<\/strong> Observe when you start criticizing your body. Word that conversation differently and consider something that you love about yourself and praise it. Try to focus on how your body feels, and thank it for all it does for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Celebrate Your Body.<\/strong> Do something that you love to do! Actively appreciating your body can go a long way in helping you to love your body you live in.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong>Get Support.<\/strong> You don\u2019t need to be subjected to body shaming alone. Talk to someone you love and trust. If you need more help, talking to a licensed professional who specializes in body inclusivity can help.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Appreciate the human body for all it is and does!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong><u>Links to related articles:<br \/>\n<\/u><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/the-negativity-of-weight-stigma-and-bias\/\"><em>The Negativity of Weight Stigma and Bias<\/em><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/mindset-over-weight-resetting-your-brain\/\"><em>Mindset Over Weight: Resetting Your Brain<\/em><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/the-power-of-self-acknowledgement\/\"><em>The Power of Self Acknowledgement<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RMAP-Maountain-logo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-1783\" src=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RMAP-Maountain-logo-300x148.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RMAP-Maountain-logo-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/RMAP-Maountain-logo.jpg 683w\" alt=\"rmap-maountain-logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"148\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.rmap.com\/\">www.RMAP.com<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/getting-started\/\">Rocky Mountain Associated Physicians<\/a><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">801-268-3800<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">1160 East 3900 South, Suite 4100<\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">SLC, UT 84124<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><strong><u>Resources:<\/u><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Lauren Vogel, <em>\u201cFat shaming is making people sicker and heavier.\u201d;<\/em> 2019 Jun 10; 191(23): E649; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6565398\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6565398\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Alexandra A. Brewis, Meg Bruening; <em>\u201cWeight Shame, Social Connection, and Depressive Symptoms in Late Adolescence.\u201d<\/em>; 2018 May 1; 15(5): 891; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Alexandra A. Brewis, Meg Bruening; <em>\u201cWeight Shame, Social Connection, and Depressive Symptoms in Late Adolescence.\u201d<\/em>; 2018 May 1; 15(5): 891; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5981930\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Lara Palmeira, Jose Pinto-Gouveia, Marina Cunha; <em>\u201cThe role of weight self-stigma on the quality of life of women with overweight and obesity: A multi-group comparison between binge eaters and non-binge eaters.\u201d<\/em>; 2016 Oct 1; 1:105:782-9; <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27423819\/\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27423819\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Patricia A. van den Berg, PhD MPH, Jonathan Mond, PhD, MPH, Marla Eisenberg, ScD, MPH, Diann Ackard, PhD, LP, and Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, PhD, MPH, RD; <em>\u201cThe link between body dissatisfaction and self-esteem in adolescents: Similarities across gender, age, weight status, race\/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.\u201d<\/em>; 2010 May 4; 47(3): 290-296; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2923488\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC2923488\/<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Anyone else have the old saying, \u201cSticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,\u201d engraved into them from elementary school? If only this adage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4126,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[96,82,89,95],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4125"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4125"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4125\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4127,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4125\/revisions\/4127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4125"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4125"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/utahbariatrics.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4125"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}