It’s Not Your Fault - Louise Baur
Research tells us that the prevalence of severe obesity among Australian adults has risen over a 15-year period, increasing from 5.8% in 2007−08 to 7.9% in 2022−23. For many, is an interesting statistic, but for others, its personal and it’s their daily struggle. When we think about obesity, it’s usually in the form of personal lifestyle decisions. It’s usually either subtly or directly framed as: it's your fault.
The problem has become that we see obesity very different to how we view diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. We often see it as a result of poor discipline, rather than a complex health problem related to genetics, access to food, education and modern lifestyles.
Prof Louise Baur is a paediatrician, specialising in childhood and adolescent obesity. She says that when she sees patients, one of the things she wants them to understand is this: "It’s not your fault”.
Stigma and blame are powerful forces and in this area of medicine, Louise sees the effect of it. She says that as people encounter medical professionals who approach them with kindness and without judgment, it goes a long way in their journey of healing and health.
This is why Louise sees her work as her calling. She brings her Christian faith to the hospital by sharing the love of God with every patient, family and colleague.
To hear my conversation with Professor Louise Baur, click here. Or your favourite podcast platform.
You can also watch it on YouTube.
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Many thanks to Karl Faase for this timely and relevent brief essay.
( from Digital Anvil )
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