The body positivity movement has done great things for women in America. Before the movement, women were forced to abide by strict beauty standards that excluded most women from feeling pretty or beautiful. Now, women of all shapes, sizes, and colors are being highlighted for their unique beauty and are being celebrated for who they are and what they can bring to the world.

However, some doctors are becoming worried that the body positivity movement has gone too far because some women are showing up to their appointments with cards demanding that doctors stop weighing them for their appointments. Now that the movement has made its way into the doctor’s office, health care providers are striking back and making it abundantly clear that weighing patients is an important part of the process.

Nevertheless, Ginny Jones, a US-based life coach who specializes in eating disorder recovery, launched the “Don’t Weigh Me Cards” movement online in 2016. The cards are created by More-Love.org and simply ask doctors to stop weighing patients when they come in for routine appointments because it “stresses them out” and it “perpetuates weight stigma.” In addition to her controversial doctor’s office cards, Jones also offers free online resources on her website that help people learn about positive ways to approach weight, food, and mental health. She even has resources on her site for parents.

Individuals are free to use the cards without cost – except for the price of shipping and handling. The cards are also available for purchase by businesses for $32 per 100. Some doctors are actually providing patients with the cards if they desire them.

The front of the cards states: “Please don’t weigh me unless it’s (really) medically necessary. If you really need my weight, please tell me why so that I can give you my informed consent.”

The back of the cards states the bulleted reasons for the existence of the card:

  • “Most health conditions can be addressed without knowing my weight.
  • “When you focus on my weight, I get stressed (and that’s not healthy).
  • “Weighing me every time I come in for an appointment and talking about my weight like it’s a problem perpetuates weight stigma (a known and serious health risk).
  • “I pursue healthy behaviors regardless of my weight status (see: Health at Every Size).”

Not everyone thought these cards were a very good idea. That’s why online campaigner Alex Light, who operates an anti-diet culture blog, jumped at the chance to defend the “Don’t Weigh Me” cards and let people know that her view was in support of them.

“Being weighed at the doctors has been a source of concern for me ever since my eating and body image issues developed, which was before I was a teenager,” she wrote, adding: “‘A lot of the time, fat people go to the doctors, get weighed and the symptoms they are visiting the doctors for are immediately put down to weight. Because the medical system is weight and BMI-focused, and BMI is BS.”

What do you think about these body positivity cards?