Ample evidence exists in the non- social work
literature to suggest that weight bias by health and
mental healthcare professionals is a serious social
problem resulting in negative consequences for obese
clients. Despite the role for social workers in
challenging bias and discrimination, the topic of
weight bias among social workers has been absent in
the literature to date. This book assesses weight
bias among social work clinicians and examines its
potential impact on practice. A new tool for
evaluating social work practice with obese clients
is introduced allowing for greater understanding of
this important and neglected topic. This analysis
suggests that social workers may not be immune to
weight bias and in fact, this bias can lead to
discriminatory practice with clients. This book will
shed some light on opportunities for policy change
and future research as well as offer suggestions for
practice interventions for work with obese clients.
literature to suggest that weight bias by health and
mental healthcare professionals is a serious social
problem resulting in negative consequences for obese
clients. Despite the role for social workers in
challenging bias and discrimination, the topic of
weight bias among social workers has been absent in
the literature to date. This book assesses weight
bias among social work clinicians and examines its
potential impact on practice. A new tool for
evaluating social work practice with obese clients
is introduced allowing for greater understanding of
this important and neglected topic. This analysis
suggests that social workers may not be immune to
weight bias and in fact, this bias can lead to
discriminatory practice with clients. This book will
shed some light on opportunities for policy change
and future research as well as offer suggestions for
practice interventions for work with obese clients.