What it is (for you):
Fatphobia is the fear, hatred, or bias toward people in larger bodies—and it’s everywhere. From clothing sizes to TikTok trends to doctor’s visits, you’ve probably seen or felt it, whether you live in a larger body or not.
For young adults with T1D, fatphobia can show up when healthcare providers assume your blood sugar issues are because of your weight, or when you feel judged for your body instead of supporting your effort. Fatphobia isn’t science. It’s stigma dressed up as “concern for your health.”
What it is (for you):
Weight stigma is when someone treats you differently because of your body size. It can look like being talked down to at the doctor’s office, blamed for your A1C, or told to “just lose weight” instead of being asked what’s going on.
If you’ve ever felt ashamed to ask for help, skipped a snack in public, or avoided a medical appointment, stigma could be part of the reason. Weight stigma isn’t just hurtful—it’s linked to higher blood sugars, more diabetes distress, and disordered eating.
What it is (for you):
Weight-inclusive care puts your whole health—not your weight—at the center. That means your care plan includes things like:
It recognizes that bodies come in different shapes and sizes—and that you deserve quality diabetes care no matter what your BMI is.
Your body isn’t a “before” picture. It’s your home, and it deserves care.
What it is (for you):
Mindful eating is about being present with your food—not distracted by calorie counts, guilt, or carb anxiety. Listening to your body sounds like:
“What does my body need right now?”
“What will help me feel nourished and take care of my health and blood glucose?”
It can be especially helpful when eating more consistently or recovering from burnout.
What it is (for you):
Intuitive eating helps you rebuild trust with your body after years of food rules and judgment.
Yes, you can absolutely adapt intuitive eating to life with diabetes. It’s about respecting your body’s cues while still considering insulin, timing, and blood sugar needs. You’re not giving up structure—you’re giving up guilt, shame, and blame.
What it is (for you):
Body acceptance doesn’t mean you love every part of yourself every day. It means you stop treating your body like a problem to solve. It means recognizing that your body—with its scars, sensors, pumps, and all—deserves respect and compassion. You don’t need to earn self-care. You’re worthy of it right now.
Q: Is it fatphobic if my doctor talks about weight?
It depends. If the focus is on your appearance or assumptions—not your actual diabetes management—that’s weight stigma. You deserve care based on your needs, not your size. A good double check is to ask, “What advice would you give someone with an average sized body.” If this advice is different weight stigma is likely present. Here are trusted resources, that are not paid for by weight loss companies and are written by folks with lived experience.
Additional resources to help you have productive conversations with your care team, without talking about weight can be found at HAES Healthsheets, More-Love.Org, Weight and Health Newsletter.
Q: Can I really be healthy in a larger body with diabetes?
Yes. Health isn’t a size. With consistent insulin/medication use, balanced eating, stress reduction, and social support, people of all sizes can manage diabetes effectively.
Q: I feel ashamed of my body. Is that normal?
Unfortunately, yes—especially if you’ve been in fatphobic or weight-obsessed spaces. You know that shame doesn’t help you care for yourself and you are wanting to find ways to heal your relationship with food. Here are some options.
Q: How does stigma impact my blood sugar?
Stigma increases stress, which can raise blood glucose. It can also lead to skipping insulin, avoiding care, or binge-restrict cycles with food—all of which hurt your self-care and blood sugar management. So what does resilience look like?
Q: Can I push back if a provider talks about weight too much?
Yes. You’re allowed to advocate for weight-neutral care. If a provider won’t listen, it’s okay to find one who will. Here are ways to find a weight-inclusive provider:
Look for Green Flags
Look for Red Flags