08/08/2024

"Let Them Eat Cake: Untangling Food Myths, Disordered Eating, and the Battle Against Diet Culture in Modern Medicine" with Michael Czajka, MPAS, PA-C: 2024 OAPA Annual Conference Speaker Feature

PAs believe in the power of evidence-based information for supporting patient health.

Join us at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference for "Let Them Eat Cake: Untangling Food Myths, Disordered Eating, and the Battle Against Diet Culture in Modern Medicine."

Michael Czajka, MPAS, PA-C, Cleveland Clinic Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry, will cover this important topic during his session at the upcoming 2024 OAPA Annual Conference. He will help attendees scrutinize medical dietary and weight loss recommendations, acknowledging their potential to reinforce disordered eating habits and eating disorders, explore the pervasive impact of diet culture in medicine on the development and perpetuation of disordered eating, and much more.

We recently caught up with Mike to ask him more about this important session he is planning.

OAPA:
Why are you excited to present to the OAPA audience on this topic?

Mike:
Disordered eating is pervasive amongst patients across all specialties. Medical recommendations for weight loss and weight focused care has likely led to increased disordered eating practices, decreased body satisfaction, and increased fatphobia amongst healthcare workers. In the age of drugs like Ozempic and the constant cycle of fad diets, we have to ask ourselves if we are providing people with the care that betters their overall well being.

OAPA:
What do you think might surprise people about this topic?

Mike:
Weight loss interventions generally lead to disappointment and dissatisfaction with many patients, and arguably, worsens health outcomes for them.

Come to Mike's session to join him in recognizing food as essential nutrition for health, while discerning the dangers of equating food solely with medicine, particularly in relation to disordered eating. Learn about the concepts of Health at Every Size (HAES) and Intuitive Eating as evidence-based methods for supporting recovery and overall well-being amongst all individuals regardless of body type.

Find out more about the exciting agenda at the 2024 OAPA Annual Conference, then register to join in the fun!