Diet Culture in the Workplace

Oh, do I have stories... 

There was the time my job banned “junk food” because leadership decided to impose a “food as medicine” approach on the entire staff, thereby promoting the misguided idea that some foods are bad and by extension, that people who enjoyed those foods were bad. 

Or the time I worked in an integrated health clinic and the doctors over-prescribed diet pills to our patients despite clear opposition from us - those patients’ therapists! 

That’s to say nothing of office weight loss challenges that conflate professional success with body size and the ever-present peer pressure involved in coworkers dieting together, making deprivation and disordered eating a social activity. 

Now, instead of “only” feeling burdened by social or familial negativity around weight and body size, we have to worry if our shape is costing us the promotion, the opportunity, or even the ability to put food on the table.

- Lindsay Love

Unedited photo, Chipotle meal with laptop, credited to Ben Schumin. Linked image

When these fatphobic and diet-obsessed attitudes come from the top, it can be incredibly stressful because not only are we feeling the pressure from our peers, but when management is creating a body-shaming culture, it sends the message that people with bigger bodies aren’t doing their best, aren’t as productive, or simply don’t fit in. Now, instead of “only” feeling burdened by social or familial negativity around weight and body size, we have to worry if our shape is costing us the promotion, the opportunity, or even the ability to put food on the table. 

Thankfully, putting language to these incredibly common incidents is the first step. By talking about and acknowledging what’s happening at work, we can develop effective coping mechanisms: 

• First, recognize that breaking up with diet culture isn't popular. Surround yourself with friends who are supportive of your breakup so that when the workplace becomes toxic, you know exactly who to reach out to. 

• Set boundaries when things go in the direction of colleagues talking about diets. You can walk away from the conversation, change the topic or vocalize your views, but whatever you decide, don’t let yourself get pulled into a toxic conversation you don’t need to be in. 

• Recognize we all have bad body days, but just as you wouldn’t let a bad hair day define your value as a human being, so shouldn’t a bad body day.

• Finally, be real with yourself. You may not love everything about your body but admit that even with flaws, your body deserves your respect, just as you respect other folks with imperfect bodies. 

Your body deserves your respect.

- Lindsay Love