No, It’s Not Okay to Comment on My Weight (+ How to Respond When It Happens)

The Obesity Guide with Matthea Rentea MD

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Knowing what to say about someone’s weight gain or loss is simple if you follow one golden rule of modern communication: Never comment on another person’s weight. Unfortunately, not everyone gets the memo, and many of my patients and coaching clients find themselves on the receiving end of weight-related comments.

Obesity is a chronic condition that’s visible to everyone, meaning those who live with it are likely familiar with one-liners like, “Wow! I can’t believe how much weight you’ve lost; you look great!” or “Are you really going to eat that?” These comments—both positive and negative—can leave us feeling uneasy and unworthy.

In this episode, we explore the uncomfortable reality of unsolicited remarks about weight and their impact on our self-worth. Join me as we discuss how to challenge societal norms that prioritize body size over individual worth and how we can reclaim our power by advocating for ourselves and choosing how we respond to body talk.
References
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Audio Stamps
00:30 - Dr. Rentea addresses a listener's request to discuss handling weight loss comments, sharing personal insights and the varied reactions people have to such remarks.
02:53 - Dr. Rentea argues that it's inappropriate to comment on someone's weight, as it reinforces the harmful idea that a person's value is tied to their size.
06:50 - Dr. Rentea urges listeners to choose how to respond to weight-related comments—whether to engage, educate, or ignore.
12:20 - Shifting the focus from weight-related comments to positive affirmations—like complimenting someone's outfit or energy—can uplift others without tying their value to size.
14:40 - Reclaim your power by deciding how to react to body-related comments—whether to engage in a discussion or not to respond at all.
Quotes
“I personally believe it is not appropriate to ever comment on someone's weight.” - Dr. Rentea
“If our weight is going to go up and down, it's very problematic if we're going to sit there and always congratulate people when the weight's down.” - Dr. Rentea
“I think that a lot of the time, the intention behind the comments matter.” - Dr. Rentea
“A lot of people truly do not know how harmful it is when they make these comments.” - Dr. Rentea
“There are other things you can say that can be very positive.” - Dr. Rentea
“You are in much more control than you realize. So you get to sit there and educate, or you get to decide these are words, they don't matter to me, this person doesn't know better, and I'm going to go about my life.” - Dr. Rentea
“I did not wait to start to educate until my body was what I thought it should be.” - Dr. Rentea

All of the information on this podcast is for general informational purposes only. Please talk to your physician and medical team about what is right for you. No medical advice is being on this podcast.
If you live in Indiana or Illinois and want to work with doctor Matthea Rentea, you can find out more on www.RenteaClinic.com