This summer I attended an awesome presentation at the National Wellness Conference with Dr. Jonathon Robison.  He called his presentation, “Are You Kidding:  A Humorous, Yet Sobering, Look at Health Promotion.”  In this session, he shared the many ways in which health promotion professionals promote junk science.

This week, I had my own “Are You Kidding” moment.  I received something from a local gym about a new program they are launching for families in my area.  It is a weight loss challenge for “ages 7 and up.”  Are you kidding?

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

This is so wrong on so many levels that I don’t even know where to start. I’m sure I can find a place, though.

First, there is the whole notion of weight loss challenges.  If you’ve spent much, or any, time at More of Me to Love, you know the risks of dieting:  disordered eating, compulsive exercising, damaged self-esteem and weight cycling with an increased risk of chronic disease, just to name a few.  These types of programs are harmful enough to adults.  However, I find this program even more disturbing because it is encouraging families with children to participate in these damaging activities.

I shudder to think of the messages this sends to kids.  There is something wrong with your body - you need an expert to tell you how to move, how to eat.  Hunger is bad; ignore it.  No pain, no gain; learn to exercise despite body signals of injury.  I worry that this will be not only psychologically harmful for kids, but also physically damaging.  Children are not little adults.  They are still growing.  Their nutritional needs and exercise capabilities are different.  When children struggle with their weight, they need individualized attention - not a program designed for adults. 

Why Are These Programs Offered?

Why do fitness professionals continue to offer these programs?  Quick answer: because people request them and participate in them! 

As a wellness professional, I understand the frustration of offering ‘health improvement programs’ that garner little interest and participation.  I have seen over and over that those programs that play into people’s insecurities generate the greatest interest. 

I’ll never forget the evening that I offered a “Building Self-Esteem” class and only had 3 people sign up.  The same evening, however, a presentation on a skin care regimen to reduce signs of aging had over 100 participants.  It is tempting to create and market programs that are appealing, even if that appeal is because of something scary (i.e. like the “terror” of aging). 

Looking for the Quick Fix

Evidently, many of us are still drawn to the idea that thinness is desirable, and that some day we will find a “the” way to achieve it.  We want to fix our lives ‘in just 8 weeks’ with a pill, a diet, or a skin cream.  Often, we don’t want to do the work necessary to really fix our lives (or recognize that what we think is a fix is not actually), or learn to accept the inherent and simultaneous joy and challenge of life.

There are some days I really wonder about where we are going as a culture.  I struggle to know how to respond when bombarded with these types of messages. 

How can I prevent this type of violence from being inflicted on others?  But then I remember the big picture.  We *are* making slow and steady progress.  There *is* a Health at Every Size movement, and our ideas are being recognized and verified through research.

I would love to start a dialog about these issues.  How do you react when faced with yet another example of blatant size-ism?  How do you maintain your optimism and continue to educate those around you and work towards a more accepting, peaceful world?  I look forward to reading your comments!

Sara Armstrong is the owner of Zoi Wellness Consulting. In addition to wellness coaching, Sara specializes in health education seminars, diabetes prevention and management, Health for EVERY Body, and worksite wellness design. You can email Sara for a free wellness consultation at sara@zoiconsulting.com.