In this issue:
Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024
Current MSSI Chapters and Affiliates
Save the date: Next MSSI Advisor Meeting
Resources for Anti Weight Bias Advocacy as a Medical Student
Call for Design Ideas: MSSI Shop
Support Research in Eating Disorders in Medical Education
The Latest from X/Twitter
Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2024
Eating Disorder Awareness Week generally takes place at the end of February around the world, and February 26-March 3 this year in the US. We know that through open, supportive dialogue, we, as medical students, can help break the shame and silence that affect the millions of people living with an eating disorder; and the millions of others who are struggling with food and weight preoccupation.
Eating Disorder Awareness Week is a time to raise awareness about eating disorders, their impact and to shed light on the dangerous and pervasive myths that surround them. It is a time of year when folks can learn more about eating disorders and about the resources that are available for individuals and family members who are impacted by them.
At MSSI, we firmly believe that size inclusion and fat liberation are key components of ED advocacy.
If you’re currently struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating yourself, please know that support is available to you. There are many ways to get the help you need, from free groups to treatment and much more. Check out some of our preferred resources from Project HEAL.
Get involved:
Join the conversation! When sharing content during this week, use the hashtag #EDAW or #EDAW2024.
Post and distribute ANAD’s shareable images.
Learn about the role that weight-based discrimination plays in eating disorders through this ANAD webinar: “The Weight of Stigma in the Treatment of Eating Disorders”.
Support Project HEAL’s fundraiser to increase access to eating disorder care.
Browse body-safe and Health at Every Size® (HAES) books and resources for patients, family and clinicians on eating disorder recovery and healing. This list compiled by Lindley at Body Liberation Photos is wonderful.
Current MSSI Chapters and Affiliates
MSSI at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
MSSI at University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Medical School
Health Professional Students for Size Inclusivity, an Affiliate of MSSI (University of California San Francisco School of Medicine
Size Inclusivity in Medicine at University of Wisconsin – School of Medicine and Public Health, an Affiliate of MSSI
MSSI at Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine
MSSI at Tufts University School of Medicine
MSSI at University of Nevada Reno SOM
MSSI at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University
MSSI at Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University
Columbia Students for Size Inclusivity, An Affiliate of MSSI (Columbia University)
MSSI at Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University
Click below for those wanting to 1) form a chapter of Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (MSSI) at your school, or 2) affiliate an existing organization at your school with MSSI. Once received, a member of MSSI will reach out with additional details, and our Chapter & Affiliate Application form!
Save the date: Next MSSI Advisor Meeting
MSSI Spring Advisory Council Meeting: Mon, May 6th 2024 at 8pm EST
Meeting link and agenda to come!
Time Conversion:
Mon, May 6, 2024 7:00 pm Central Time
Mon, May 6, 2024 6:00 pm Mountain Time, & Alberta
Mon, May 6, 2024 5:00 pm AZ, Pacific Time, Vancouver
Tues, May 7, 2024 at 10:00 am AEST Brisbane, Australia
If you are not a current MSSI member or advisor but would like to attend to get a better sense of what our organization is up to, please email us!
Resources for Anti Weight Bias Advocacy as a Medical Student
Are you a medical student or related health professions student interested in advocating for size inclusive care and education at your school? Here are some resources you might find helpful!
Jessica Mui, MSSI President and MS-3 at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, has created a 30-minute video, presentation, and resource list for medical students.
Call for Design Ideas: MSSI Shop
Do you have any design ideas for stickers, buttons, pins, and merch for the MSSI shop? Get in touch with us!
MSSI has begun to fundraise, starting with some size-inclusivity stickers! We hope to use our funds to further the initiatives we have started, including compensating MSSI speakers for their time and effort & purchasing size inclusive equipment for local clinics.
Participants Needed: Eating Disorders in Medical Education
PhD students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and MSSI students are working together to conduct a study on the eating disorder education that medical students receive.
If you are a student or professor that has any curricular materials pertaining to eating disorders and would like to support this study please upload materials to to the link below:
Find us on social media!
Check out our feature in Ragen Chastain’s newsletter from last month!
weightandhealthcare.substack.com/p/5-questions-…
We are so grateful for Ragen’s support and highly recommend subscribing to her Weight and Healthcare newsletter – she is a wealth of knowledge! @danceswithfat
— Medical Students for Size Inclusivity (@sizeinclmed)
Feb 23, 2024