In this issue:
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LAST CHANCE to apply for the 2025 NAAFA Scholarship
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Registration is open for the 11th Annual Weight Stigma Conference
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Upcoming AWSIM Event: Knee Replacements and BMI Cutoffs
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Resource Highlight: MSSI Mini-Guides!
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Find us on Instagram
DEADLINE IS TODAY (JUNE 1) for the 2025 Dr. Paul Ernsberger Research Scholarship!
The mission of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance is to change perceptions of fat and end size discrimination through advocacy, education, and support.
The goal of the Dr. Paul Ernsberger Research Scholarship is to provide financial support to graduate students currently enrolled in a graduate program with an accredited U.S. college or university. Dr. Ernsberger’s decades of research on metabolic syndrome, diabetes, weight cycling, and the medical harm caused by diet obsession and weight bias has had an immeasurable impact on debunking myths and misunderstandings about fat and health. It is an honor for NAAFA to support the continuation of his important work by supporting graduate students who hope to carry on and advance Dr. Ernsberger’s legacy.
Up to three scholarships in the amount of $2,500 will be awarded.
Areas of concentration in scientific laboratory research:
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Nutrition and higher weight people
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Metabolic syndrome
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Insulin resistance/diabetes
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Hypertension
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Hyperlipidemia
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Weight cycling
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Medical harm from being obsessed with weight loss
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Medical harm from the bias of physicians
Prioritization will be given to applicants of marginalized identity (POC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, fat/superfat) and those who demonstrate financial need. Scholarship will be paid directly to the graduate student.
REQUIREMENTS:
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Online application
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Transcripts (unofficial are acceptable)
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Proof of enrollment
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Recommendation/Reference form(s) – At least one recommendation/reference other than your advisor
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Copy of your FAFSA Student Aid Report
TIMELINE:
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Filing deadline 6/1/25
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Evaluators’ recommendations by 6/18/25
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NAAFA BOD vote by 6/28/25
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Decision letter and agreement sent by email by 7/7/25
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Returned signed agreements by 7/14/25
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Scholarship issued 7/21/25
Scholarship winners will be required to sign an agreement and submit a written report or mutually agreed upon report-back outlining your research progress, no later than the end of the 2025/2026 academic year.
Call for Abstracts: 11th Annual International Weight Stigma Conference
6-7 JULY 2025 GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA & ONLINE
Deadline for abstract submission: Rolling/June 20, 2025
Conference registration is open (student pricing and travel bursaries available)
The Annual International Weight Stigma Conference is an interdisciplinary event that brings together scholars and practitioners from a range of backgrounds (e.g., public health, government and public policy, psychology, medicine, sociology, anthropology, allied health professions, education, sports and exercise science, social sciences, media studies, business, law, activism, and the lay public) to consider research, policy, rhetoric, and practice around the issue of weight stigma.
Abstracts can be for oral presentations (10 mins, including time for questions), posters, or other formats (symposia, workshops, seminars, creative sessions, etc.).
They invite contributions across a wide range of disciplines and methodological and theoretical approaches. International voices discussing the situation in countries other than the US are particularly welcome. Equally so are intersectional approaches and perspectives from other marginalized groups. We encourage submissions from scholars, practitioners, policy makers, and activists. Students are especially encouraged to submit proposals.
Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice prizes will be awarded for the best oral presentation and best poster.
Note, accepted presenters will be required to register for the conference and pay the registration fee. Bursaries may be available on a case-by-case basis.
Visit the abstract submission page for more information.
AWSIM June Journal Club with Ragen Chastain: Knee Replacements and BMI Cutoffs
Tuesday June 10th at 5:30pm PT
FREE for AWSIM Members and students, $35 for non-members
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Resource Highlight: MSSI Mini-Guides
Did you know? MSSI has a series of Mini-Guides that are brief informational sheets centered around specific topics within the realm of size inclusive medicine! You might find them useful to your learning and/or advocacy work.
We have Mini-Guides on the following topics:
Please let us know if there are additional topics you would like to see us cover.
Find us on social media!
Instagram post by @sizeinclusivemedicine
This newsletter was authored by MSSI member Sophie Lalonde-Bester (University of Alberta).