RESOURCES
Book recommendations
MORE THAN A BODY BY LINDSAY KITE AND LEXIE KITE
Lindsay and Lexie Kite are twin sisters, both of whom have a Ph.D in body image. This book is for readers who want to change the way they feel about their body and is unique in incorporating social justice and activism as a therapeutic tool. Lindsay’s TED talk is worth a watch.
Body happy kids by molly forbes
Particularly recommended if you work with (or parent) children and teens, this well researched book sets out the argument for rejecting diet culture and moving towards a place of compassion. Molly works tirelessly with this as her goal and is a great source of information. Follow her on Instagram @mollyjforbes.
what we don’t talk about when we talk about fat by aubrey gordon
If you’re interested in the lived experiences of fat people, this book offers plenty. They are as distressing and powerful as you might imagine. Aubrey Gordon writes as a person who holds multiple marginalised identities and is also a prominent podcaster whose research skills are second to none. Listen to her brilliant, funny and thought-provoking podcast, Maintenance Phase.
the body is not an apology by sonya renee taylor
Sonya Renee Taylor is an activist whose work bringing ideas of radical self-love naturally fall into the realm of bodies. A good resource for working with internalised weight stigma. The episode of the Brene Brown podcast featuring a conversation with Sonya on bodies and oppression is worth listening to.
My Body, My Home: A Radical Guide to Resilience and Belonging Paperback by Victoria Emanuela and Caitlin metz
This is less a text book and more a creative invitation to consider how you might shift feelings towards your body. A useful one for clients who might need something to refer to between sessions.
Sway by pragya agarwal
Sway is subtitled Unravelling unconscious bias and takes a deep dive into all the many areas in which unconscious bias exists. Dr Pragya Agarwal is a prolific writer specialising in oppression and marginalisation and her easy-to-read books are packed with evidence from academic research.
Intuitive eating by elyse resch and Evelyn Tribole
Intuitive Eating is the evidence-based framework that brought me out of diet culture and to a peaceful place with food and my body. As well as helping readers to tune into interoceptive awareness (recognising and processing internal physical sensations), IE covers 10 principles such as coping with your feelings without food.
OTHER RESOURCES
Making Space for Every Body: Ending Sizeism in Psychotherapy and Training - Women & Therapy special issue (2019)
Changing the perfect picture: an inquiry into body image - Women & Equalities committee report (2021)
OTR ‘Shameless’ project for 11-17 year olds in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Simmons University anti-oppression library: anti fatmisia resource includes support resources for fat people and information/resources for allies (thin privilege and thin fragility, how to be a supportive ally)
Take the Harvard ‘Project Implicit’ bias test to see how you score on weight bias