---
title: Experiencing Weight Shaming at the Doctor
date: 2023-07-10T19:42:09-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-experiencing-weight-shaming-at-the-doctor"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Experiencing Weight Shaming at the Doctor

LS discusses her experience being body shamed by her doctor as a child and how it still affects her today. She addresses partaking in diet culture and her efforts to lose weight as a result. She notes that today she has anxiety around going to the doctor because of the ways that doctors have discussed her weight.

## Transcript

**LS:** I feel like I kind of have grown up with this anxiety about just going to the doctor for a regular physical. I didn't really start thinking about it until last year, and then I realized that so much of that fear was wrapped up in being weighed and talking to my doctor about weight. Because ever since I was probably like nine or ten I remember feeling anxious about like getting on the scale and then my doctor talking to me, and I remember when I was, I think eleven or twelve years old, my doctor like weighed me and then said I was in like the 99th percentile or something, and I got like really anxious and then she started talking about you know what am I eating, what am I, like what are my exercise routine, and then she told me that I should eat only like half a sandwich at lunch, and that memory sticks with me to this day because it's just an insane thing to tell a twelve year old.

And because of what my doctor was telling me—not anyone else in my life, just my doctor—I started like using those calorie-tracking apps, trying to diet, trying to create workout routines when I was just twelve or thirteen years old. Because my hope was that the next time that I would go to the doctor, the number on the scale would be lower, and I remember like I would go extra hard on these like diets that I would create in like the month before going to the doctor. And kind of thinking about it I'm like, well I'm sure there are other parts of my life that, I know there are other parts of my life that were kind of pushing diet culture and all these things on me, but why was it so extreme for like when I would think about the doctor and the medical field when that those are the people who are supposed to be caring for me, helping me, working with me to make me like feel good and healthy.

So that's just kind of my thought process around the doctor and like, as in the past year I've just been thinking a lot about it and kind of what I want to look for in doctors going forward and how to kind of deal with people who are in this position of power over you because you kind of see them as more intelligent or just like having better opinions than you regarding your own health. At least that's kind of how I was raised to see doctors. So yeah, just it's crazy to me to think about how like how I've grown up with doctors just telling me how I should live my life when the whole time I was perfectly fine in whatever track I was going on.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ mental health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/mental-health)
- [diet culture](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/diet-culture)
- [disordered eating](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/disordered-eating)
- [anxiety](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/anxiety)

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## Talking About Eating Disorders in Health Class

LS discusses the ways that the education she received around disordered eating as a young person failed to prepare her for her own experiences.

![LS](data:image/png;base64,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)

LS discusses the ways that the education she received around disordered eating as a young person failed to prepare her for her own experiences.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-talking-about-eating-disorders-in-health-class)

[Stories & ConversationsInteract

## A Lonely Struggle: Motherhood and Mental Health

An interactive story in which mothers explain their feelings and emotions of dealing with parenthood.

![A Lonely Struggle](data:image/png;base64,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)

An interactive story in which mothers explain their feelings and emotions of dealing with parenthood.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/a-lonely-struggle-motherhood-and-mental-health)

[ResourcesRead

## How Virtual Meetings Affect Women's Mental Health

Being online can take a toll on our self-perception, body image, and mental health.

![A woman in a virtual meeting](data:image/png;base64,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)

Being online can take a toll on our self-perception, body image, and mental health.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/virtual-affect-mental-health)