During our first Gender Equity Community of Practice session for 2025, we explored the what and why of size inclusive practice and the intersection of gender and body size, with a particular focus on the stereotypes surrounding female attractiveness and the societal expectations placed on women to care for their families and communities. These pressures can contribute to the perpetuation of violence against women, including bullying, discrimination, and other forms of violence. Such experiences can lead to negative mental health outcomes like depression, anxiety, social isolation, poor body image, low self-esteem, and avoidance of healthcare. 

These discussions led us, as practitioners in the health promotion sector, to explore practical ways of implementing size-inclusive practices within our workplaces, organisations, schools, and communities. We explored the recommendations outlined by Better Health Networks size inclusive practice resource that creates environments that promote inclusivity, respect, and dignity for people of all body sizes. 

The GE CoP session supported participants to reflect and explore how to:

-Better represent peoples of all sizes, races, ages, genders, and albitites in images used in workplaces, posters, social media and resource booklets. For instance, images that feature individuals in larger bodies with their heads cropped out, paired with unhealthy foods, or dressed in unflattering clothing, frequently portraying expressions of sadness or anger when reflecting on their own or others’ bodies. These portrayals perpetuate harmful stereotypes and contribute to body shaming. 

-Foster and support age-appropriate food initiatives in schools and early learning services. An example, just like we teach math step by step- starting with counting before moving on to algebra—food education should follow a similar approach. Let kids explore food with their senses first and introduce nutrition concepts only when they are old enough to understand abstract ideas. 

-Explore strategies to ground health promotion messaging about movement in community experience remembering that movement is for feeling our bodies get stronger, for connecting to places, spaces, nature and people. While joyful movement is often used, we need to keep in mind that movement isn’t always joyful, especially for people that are managing pain or chronic health conditions. 

There were great discussions at the Community of Practice, with valuable engagement and learning from each other’s experiences. Let’s continue these conversations and stay connected with our Gender Equity Community of Practice to share ideas, explore new strategies, and work together to foster size-inclusive environments that promote respect, dignity, and well-being for all. By supporting each other and building on our collective knowledge, we can drive meaningful change in our workplaces, schools, and communities. 

Explore further: Size Inclusive Practice – Health at any Size