Number
231
Name
Incorporating Anti-Bias and Weight Inclusivity Into a Nutrition Module for M2s
Date & Time
Monday, June 16, 2025, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location Name
Exhibition Hall C
Presentation Topic(s)
Curriculum
Description

Purpose
Body Mass Index is a poor predictor of cardiometabolic health in individuals and its overuse in healthcare and health education lead to weight-centric care and damaging anti-fat bias experienced by patients and students. This project aimed to revise an obesity case in the Nutrition Module for M2 students at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to incorporate weight-inclusive care and anti-bias education without adding time to the case or reducing the basic science content.

Methods
We revised the case based on student feedback and current literature to incorporate weight-inclusive, anti-bias care using the Health at Every Size framework. While BMI was still included, since it is automatically calculated by most EMRs, that and weight were no longer a central theme of the case. As part of the revision, three learning objectives were removed and 5 were added in the domain Social Context for Clinical Decisions for a net increase of two learning objectives. A small focus group of 3 students evaluated the case for inclusivity and patient-centeredness before and after the revisions.

Results
The revised obesity case has been implemented in the Nutrition Module of the M2 curriculum. Faculty facilitators report that the allotted time is adequate to complete the cases and objectives. Student feedback on the case revisions has been overwhelmingly positive. Students appreciate the focus on lifestyle medicine and the removal of focus on weight.

Conclusion
Weight-inclusive care and anti-bias can be explicitly incorporated into medical education cases without compromising time spent on basic science or overburdening students with additional learning objectives. Further, students appreciate the patient-centered care and inclusivity of the anti-bias focus.