251. How Medical Students for Size Inclusivity Are Breaking the Cycle of Weight-Centric Care (with Jackie Liu from MSSI)

"Weight neutral healthcare will allow people to access healthcare in a non-stigmatized and welcoming way, and will be treated the same as a patient of any body size."

Have you ever walked into a doctor’s office excited about your progress with intuitive eating, only to leave questioning everything after your doctor brought the conversation back to your weight? You’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by Jackie Liu, a third-year medical student at Harvard and co-advocacy lead for Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI). Together, we unpack what weight-neutral healthcare really looks like, why it matters, and how weight stigma impacts your ability to trust your body. We also explore the power dynamics in medical settings and share practical ways to advocate for yourself and find more supportive care so you can leave guilt and shame behind.

✅ What You’ll Learn:

• How weight neutral healthcare differs from the weight-focused appointments we’re so used to
• Why the healthcare system’s view of bodies isn't the absolute truth, and why your body is not the problem
• The impact weight stigma and anti-fat bias have on your willingness to seek care (and your self-blame)
• What it actually looks like to walk into a weight neutral appointment, and real-life examples you can use to advocate for yourself
• The shift happening among medical students and healthcare providers who are questioning the status quo

🔗 Resources:

• MSSI Website
• Association for Weight and Size Inclusive Medicine
• National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA)
• Ragen Chastain's Substack
• Grab the Hunger & Fullness Scale Guide at DietCultureRebel.com/hungerfullnessscale and take your next step toward building trust with your body and food.
• Connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.

Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?

You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you're tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.