Abstract
We originally proposed a study to examine changes in disparities in “obesity” between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadian populations, as called for in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Article 19 (2015), which calls for ongoing monitoring of disparities in health outcomes. Instead, we questioned the importance of reducing the prevalence of “obesity” as a health goal for Indigenous peoples. This critical commentary provides an overview of Canadian Indigenous populations’ weight, its relationship with health outcomes, and weight stigma and discrimination, using an Indigenous feminist lens. We introduce the applicability of a Two-Eyed Seeing approach utilizing a Health-At-Every-Size (HAES®) model and Indigenous ways of knowing, as a starting point, to understand weight, health, and our bodies. A new paradigm is needed to identify and close health gaps as noted in Article 19 of the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action (2015). We respectfully call upon health professionals and public health bodies to acknowledge the harm of weight stigma and discrimination in their practice and policies, and we encourage Indigenous peoples to (re)claim and (re)vitalize body sovereignty.
Résumé
Nous avions proposé à l’origine une étude sur l’évolution des disparités entre les populations canadiennes autochtones et non autochtones sur le plan de l’ « obésité » comme il est demandé à l’article 19 de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation (2015), qui appelle à une surveillance continue des écarts dans les résultats en matière de santé. Au lieu de cela, nous nous sommes interrogées sur l’importance de réduire la prévalence de l’ « obésité » comme objectif de santé pour les personnes autochtones. Dans notre commentaire critique, nous présentons une vue d’ensemble du poids dans les populations canadiennes autochtones, de ses liens avec les résultats en matière de santé, ainsi que de la stigmatisation et de la discrimination à l’égard du poids, le tout en utilisant un prisme autochtone féministe. Nous présentons les possibilités d’application d’une démarche de « vision à deux yeux » utilisant le modèle Health-At-Every-Size (HAES®) et les modes de savoir autochtones (pour commencer) afin de comprendre le poids, la santé et nos corps. Un nouveau paradigme est nécessaire pour cerner et combler les écarts de santé mentionnés à l’article 19 des appels à l’action de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation (2015). Nous invitons respectueusement les professionnels de la santé et les organismes de santé publique à admettre les torts causés par la stigmatisation et la discrimination à l’égard du poids dans leurs pratiques et leurs politiques, et nous encourageons les personnes autochtones à (re)prendre possession et à (re)dynamiser leur souveraineté sur leur corps.
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Notes
Indigenous People in Canada are comprised of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. Where applicable, we have used the most specific name to refer to the Indigenous group or population.
We have included “obesity” in quotations to signify its medicalized and contested use (Meadows and Danielsdóttir 2016).
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Acknowledgements
We would like to acknowledge the partnership, support, and guidance for this work by Jeff LaPlante, Executive Director of the National Indigenous Diabetes Association.
Funding
This work has been funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Canadian Community Health Survey Nutrition Analysis (Grant #151546). NDR is the recipient of a CIHR Early Career Investigator Award (2018-2022; grant #155435).
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Cyr, M., Riediger, N. (Re)claiming our bodies using a Two-Eyed Seeing approach: Health-At-Every-Size (HAES®) and Indigenous knowledge. Can J Public Health 112, 493–497 (2021). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00445-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00445-9