Join the Mission to Protect Kids’ Well-Being–One Conversation at a Time

For Healthcare Professionals

What to Say Healthcare

Discussing Weight and Food in Pediatric Settings

Online CME | 2.0 Prescribed Credits

Teen talking with Doctor

Developed in collaboration with leading healthcare experts, this CME course equips providers with research-backed communication strategies to prevent eating disorders and promote positive health outcomes in pediatric settings.

This course is accredited by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for 2.0 Prescribed CME credits.

Learning Objectives

Recognize and Prevent

Identify eating disorders before they start, with evidence-based prevention strategies.

Navigate Critical Conversations

Talk with kids and parents about food and health--without causing harm.

Address Weight Stigma

Explore the impact of weight stigma in healthcare settings and learn strategies to mitigate its effect.

For Healthcare Providers

Support Our Mission

Your contribution helps sustain this educational resource while supporting our mission to prevent eating disorders. 

Suggested Donation Levels:

 

  • General Course: $79
  • New Physician: $75 (Use coupon code: NEWDOC75)
  • Student or Resident: $60 (Use coupon code: STUDENT60)
  • If a donation isn’t feasible, Use coupon code: MISSION-SUPPORT-DISCOUNT
Enroll Now
Activity Details

Released On
January 8, 2024

Media Type
Internet

Completion Time
2 hours

Specialty
Pediatrics, Family Practice

Topic(s)
Pediatrics, Eating disorders, weight stigma

Activity Outline

Module 1: Why & Guiding Philosophy

An introduction to the foundational concepts of What to Say Healthcare, delving into the evidence that supports its significance and effectiveness. Following, healthcare professionals will engage with comprehensive insights on the widespread occurrence of eating disorders and disordered eating patterns, understand the various risk elements with these conditions, and discover the critical role they can assume in fostering a healthy body image and constructive relationship with food among children.

  • 20-minute lecture divided into three parts
  • A video summary sheet
  • A quiz
  • A list of related resources and research
  • An email template for providers to share WTS HC with colleagues and clinics

Module 2: Addressing Provider Concerns

Module 2 aims to equip providers with the necessary skills to discuss food and weight-related issues concerning pediatric patients in a manner that avoids stigma and promotes a supportive and understanding healthcare environment. Providers will learn best practices for discussing such concerns with patients and their parents.

  • A 29-minute panel discussion
  • A video summary sheet
  • A quiz
  • A list of related resources and research
  • A Q&A reference sheet
  • A list of example dot/smart phrases providers may use for such conversations with patients

Module 3: Addressing Parent Concerns

Module 3 is designed to guide providers in effectively addressing concerns related to food and weight that parents may have about their children, ensuring these sensitive topics are handled with care. Providers will be introduced to best practices for effectively addressing and managing concerns that parents may bring to them about their children’s eating habits or weight, fostering a constructive and sensitive dialogue.

  • A 23-minute panel discussion divided into four parts
  • A video summary sheet
  • A quiz
  • A list of related resources and research
  • A Q&A quick reference sheet
    A list of example dot/smart phrases providers may use for such conversations with patients.

Module 4: Weight Stigma

This module addresses weight stigma, providing insights into its manifestation in healthcare settings and examining its detrimental effects on patient health and treatment outcomes.

  • A 37-minute interview-style discussion divided into two parts
  • A video summary sheet
  • A quiz
  • A list of related resources and research
Accreditation & Registration Fee Details

The AAFP (American Academy of Family Practitioners) has reviewed What to Say Healthcare, and deemed it acceptable for AAFP credit. Term of approval is from 12/01/2024 to 12/01/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

What to Say Healthcare is approved for 2.0 enduring material AAFP elective credits.

We suggest a donation of $79 for access to the course, but it is available for free with the discount code MISSION-SUPPORT-DISCOUNT if this amount is a barrier.  WithAll is a fully donor-funded nonprofit working to prevent eating disorders and support eating disorder recovery. Your contribution helps us maintain this course and provide other educational resources to adult role-models to kids.

Presenters

Katie Loth, PhD, MPH, RD, Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota

Laura Hooper, PhD, MS, RD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Division of Children’s Health Services Research | School of Medicine, Indiana University

Lesley Williams, M.D., Family Physician, Mayo Clinic, Arizona

Lisa Radzak, Executive Director, WithAll

Instructions for Participation and Credit

To receive a certificate of participation, participants must:

  1. Follow instructions to register or log in. We recommend taking the course on a computer instead of a mobile device.
  2. View the online activity in its entirety, including completing the comprehension quizzes.
  3. Complete and submit a short online post-assessment and evaluation.

A certificate of participation will be emailed to the email address provided immediately following your successful completion of the post-assessment and evaluation.

For questions regarding CME credit, contact WithAll at hello@withall.org.

What Healthcare Providers Are Saying

  • I was excited to broaden my base of knowledge in weight neutral care through the What to Say Healthcare. Taking this on the heels of the AAP recommendations was necessary and timely as I combat weight stigma coming from all angles in my primary care practice. My biggest takeaway from this program was the great opportunity I have in each visit to emphasize the things we know DO impact metabolic health, such as sleep, food variety, friendships, etc, and to pause and reflect when I feel anxiety/responsibility around a child's high weight number. The tips around talking to kids and parents were truly invaluable. I wish this training were integrated into all providers' basic medical training: this is essential if we seek to actually SUCCEED in positively impacting health and eliminating harm from medical systems.
    Christy Atkinson, MD
    M Health Fairview, Wisconsin
  • I’m excited about What to Say Healthcare because it’s coming at such an exciting time. We’ve seen this cultural shift where medical providers are wanting to think differently about food and weight but not always having the tools to do so. So I think this really fills a gap in our medical education and will provide an opportunity for them to be at the forefront of eating disorder prevention.
    Katie Loth, PhD, MPH, RD
    Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota
  • These videos are so well done - you both clearly and succinctly identify the concerns with the current care model and leave the audience engaged and eager to learn how to modify or enhance their practice.
    Heather Bergeson, MD
    TRIA Orthopedics
  • The dot and smart phrases for patient charting included in the didactic toolkit are well written; I see myself using them in the clinic.
    Cassandra Jones, MD
    Director of Child & Adolscent Medical Services, The Emily Program

What to Say

Have you watched our What to Say video? We recommend all adult role models start here.

Watch the Video