“Time to Switch to Skim Milk!”

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By Andrea Delbanco Editor in Chief, TIME for Kids When my daughter turned 8, we went for her annual checkup. We loved this pediatrician, especially because she spoke plainly and directly to our children about their health, habits, and bodies. But this attribute failed us that day, when she reported that my daughter’s BMI was high and lectured her about portion control and the evils of carbohydrates. This was a healthy, active 8-year-old—and no young child deserves such a scolding. After we left the office, I tried my best to walk back the damage, but my daughter tearfully declined dessert that night and several nights after. I’d love to report that we switched pediatricians, but life moved on and I took the path of least resistance. The experience came back to me while reading How Doctors Inadvertently Fat-Shame Kids, an excerpt from Virginia Sole-Smith’s upcoming book Fat Talk: Parenting in the Age of Diet Culture. In it, she references offhanded and cruel comments made by medical professionals, such as “Time to switch to skim milk!” and “Maybe less juice, Mom.” My pediatrician wasn’t that callous, but it still stung. How has your pediatrician handled weight-related issues? If you have unsettling experiences or—hopefully—positive interactions to share, write to me at andrea@time.com. Best, Andrea

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