What is WIA?

Put simply, weight inclusive care is care that seeks to promote the wellbeing of clients at any size. Providers practicing weight inclusive care are providers who are knowledgeable of social factors and forms of oppression that stigmatize certain bodies, while prioritizing others. Providers strive to emphasize a relationship that centers and respects the client. Notably, this means that providers remove barriers such as weight, size, appearance and ability to care. This may look like not encouraging behaviors such as dieting or exercise with the intention of weight loss, or ascribing health issues to weight. For more information and tangible examples, check out our Criteria page!

WIA started as a one-person project in 2023 in response to meeting endless barriers in care due to size stigma. The directory was created to help others having a hard time accessing adequate treatment due to their size and other stigmatized features. WIA has been majorly influenced by the work of fat activists all over the world, as well as right here at home. The organizing group "Fatties of Alberta" paved the way for fat activism in the province, and WIA took many pages from their book. Advocates for weight inclusive care already working hard in the field, like Allison Tunis, Vincci Tsui (of weightinclusive.ca) and so many others have helped create and influence the form of WIA.

Without weight inclusive care, so many of us would continue to be left behind. When we are denied access, we are denied wellness for our bodies. We may be blamed, shamed and treated with disrespect. And often, it goes beyond that. Time and time again, we see people living in large bodies actively withheld lifesaving treatment as providers blame their issues solely on "being overweight." 

People who stray farthest from the normalized identity of a thin, cis, white, able-bodied person have been historically and often intentionally left behind in the realm of care and wellness. Fatness is portrayed as a medical problem that is the sole cause of unwellness in a person. Not only is this untrue, but people all of sizes deserve respect and care- period, regardless of their physical appearance. 

Weight inclusive care is important to us because we want to see a world where we can all access culturally competent care; not just for some, but for everyone! (In the words of the late Burt Bacharach.)

We are all in this together, and we all have a part to play. Building a robust weight inclusive, body and fat liberatory community will take all of us with our different skills. If you have any ideas, questions and comments- please connect with us on our contact form below!

Here are some key takeaways:

1.) Weight Inclusive Care providers model what care can and should look like to others. Since they hold positions of authority, people are inclined to follow their lead on key issues regarding health and wellness.

2.) Weight Inclusive Care provides care that people actually need. 

3.) Weight Inclusive Care providers are on the frontlines of helping create a better world for everyone.

Great Question! There is so much to learn about when it comes to weight stigma and fat liberation. Here are some great places to start!

• Weight Inclusive Approach: What Is It and How to Use It | Well Resourced Dietitian
• Weight Inclusive Healthcare: Evidence Based, Compassionate, Patient Centered - Sunny Side Up Nutrition
• About | Weight-Inclusive Dietitians in Canada (weightinclusive.ca)
• The Health at Every Size® (HAES®) Principles - ASDAH
• What is Weight-Inclusive Care? – Dietetically Speaking
• The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Approach to Health: Evaluating the Evidence for Prioritizing Well-Being over Weight Loss - PMC (nih.gov)