'A GP body shamed my 7yo. This is the letter I wrote to them'

Jane got the shock of her life after a comment was made when the scales came out. It took her three months to work up the courage to voice her concerns. 

What was meant to be a regular GP visit with her 7-year-old daughter turned into one that sparked uneasy thoughts for mum Jane. 

Taking to Instagram, the Queenstown mum shared her experience along with a letter that took her three months to write to the medical professional. 

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Jane wrote a letter to the GP highlighting the power of words around body image. Image: Supplied

"A GP body shamed my 7yo"

"I am writing to let you know about a comment made by a GP during a recent appointment for my 7-year-old daughter," the letter begins. 

"During what was meant to be a routine check-up, she was asked to step on the scales, at which point the GP remarked, 'There’s no need to worry about her weight, is there?' While perhaps intended as a throwaway comment, it was entirely inappropriate and left both of us uncomfortable.

"She asked me what he meant, and I had to explain how no one should say that kind of statement about her body.

"Comments like this, even when said casually, can contribute to body image issues, especially in children who are just beginning to form their sense of self and self-worth."

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Body shaming has no place in a medical setting

The NZ mum went on to explain how language around the "perfect body" should never be used in a medical setting. Especially when children are involved. 

"Fat-shaming - whether subtle or overt - has no place in a clinical setting. Remarks about weight should always be clinically necessary, evidence-based, and approached with extreme sensitivity, particularly when speaking to or about children. 

"GPs and other healthcare professionals are often the first point of contact in a young person’s health journey. When they experience judgment or shaming-intended or not-it can foster fear, shame, and reluctance to seek care in the future."

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Please do better

Jane then ended the letter with encouraging the practice to have a think about language used around children. 

"I would urge your practice to reflect on how weight and body image are addressed with both children and adults, and to consider how staff might be better supported or trained in delivering sensitive care without resorting to language that could be harmful, particularly HAES (Health at Every Size framework).

"It’s taken me months to raise this, but after sitting on it for so long, changes can’t be made unless people speak up.

"I strongly believe that healthcare settings should be safe, respectful, and inclusive spaces for all patients, regardless of body size."

Jane is a business coach who is passionate about the power of language - amongst adults AND children. You can follow her here. 

Originally published as 'A GP body shamed my 7yo. This is the letter I wrote to them'