Love your letter. I submitted a comment to my daughters’ pediatrician following their last appointments. This doctor was great at helping my older daughter (17) through an eating disorder several years ago, and her comments this time were great and very sensitive. When my 14yo daughter (who is taller and thinner) had her time with the doctor, the doctor showed her her growth charts and praised her for growing well and having a weight that “looks great”. My youngest thankfully makes no extra effort to have a “good weight”. I don’t necessarily think this doctor would label someone’s weight as “bad”, but I wrote her to say she should reconsider labelling anyone’s body or weight as “good” or as anything at all. My youngest’s body will change and possibly into a form that is not deemed as “good” as it is now. Just setting her up for bad feelings if her body changes or sometime later doesn’t get the same glowing report from the doctor or anyone else. It’s a never ending fight….
That's such an important advocacy—thank you! And you're so right that we don't always see how complimenting some bodies is really just sending the same message as criticizing other bodies. I used to make this mistake myself.
Wow, that's ridiculous. I went for an eye exam recently for the first time in years, and I learned that I have a little bit of inflammation and that this is typical with age and generally increases over time. It is baffling that your doctor gave you this bogus nutritional advice, but I guess I'm not surprised!
Truly. And yet at the same time it makes perfect sense in this world. Even very smart medical professionals can get sucked in by diet and wellness culture! ;)
I think your letter was great! Thank you for speaking up and for sharing. Ps I also have weirdly strong astigmatism and night driving is no fun. At least my glasses are better than my contacts. Good luck!
Thanks. I'm grateful I'm not really vulnerable to these types of messages anymore, and I guess that's why I felt compelled to speak up on behalf of others who wouldn't know to be skeptical of that kind of advice.
Love your letter. I submitted a comment to my daughters’ pediatrician following their last appointments. This doctor was great at helping my older daughter (17) through an eating disorder several years ago, and her comments this time were great and very sensitive. When my 14yo daughter (who is taller and thinner) had her time with the doctor, the doctor showed her her growth charts and praised her for growing well and having a weight that “looks great”. My youngest thankfully makes no extra effort to have a “good weight”. I don’t necessarily think this doctor would label someone’s weight as “bad”, but I wrote her to say she should reconsider labelling anyone’s body or weight as “good” or as anything at all. My youngest’s body will change and possibly into a form that is not deemed as “good” as it is now. Just setting her up for bad feelings if her body changes or sometime later doesn’t get the same glowing report from the doctor or anyone else. It’s a never ending fight….
That's such an important advocacy—thank you! And you're so right that we don't always see how complimenting some bodies is really just sending the same message as criticizing other bodies. I used to make this mistake myself.
Wow, that's ridiculous. I went for an eye exam recently for the first time in years, and I learned that I have a little bit of inflammation and that this is typical with age and generally increases over time. It is baffling that your doctor gave you this bogus nutritional advice, but I guess I'm not surprised!
This is bonkers!
Truly. And yet at the same time it makes perfect sense in this world. Even very smart medical professionals can get sucked in by diet and wellness culture! ;)
I think your letter was great! Thank you for speaking up and for sharing. Ps I also have weirdly strong astigmatism and night driving is no fun. At least my glasses are better than my contacts. Good luck!
Thanks! And sorry you deal with this, too.
Oona, this is great. Sorry you had that experience at the doctor but this is so helpful. Thank you for the work you’re doing.
Thanks. I'm grateful I'm not really vulnerable to these types of messages anymore, and I guess that's why I felt compelled to speak up on behalf of others who wouldn't know to be skeptical of that kind of advice.