VIDEO: Talk about body image, weight stigma with young IBD patients to optimize care
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In a Healio video exclusive, Jennie David, PhD, an IBD pediatric psychologist, discusses “complex relationships” young patients with inflammatory bowel disease often have with their bodies, food and weight and how care providers can help.
“We know that our young folks who live with IBD have higher rates of body image complexities compared with folks who do not live with IBD,” David, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, told Healio. “They also have higher rates of disordered eating.”
These patients also may experience weight stigma and prejudice from society, David said, which unknowingly can be perpetuated by health care providers.
In her presentation at NASPGHAN, David shared current knowledge about body image, disordered eating and weight stigma in pediatric IBD patients and how providers can optimize psychosocial care, with a focus on “immediate action steps” for all members of the patient care team.
David hopes that by raising awareness about this important topic, practitioners can talk “about bodies, food, weight and shape in ways that promote resilience,” as well as “adaptive behaviors to make sure that we’re taking care of the whole person with IBD.”
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David J. Body image, disordered eating and weight stigma in pediatric IBD: Recommendations for health care professionals. Presented at: NASPGHAN; Oct. 4-7, 2023; San Diego.
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