Compassionate Bodies, Compassionate Practice: Navigating Body Image Tensions among Gay Men
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
21 July 2021
Abstract
Our purpose in writing this Perspective in Practice is to create awareness about the role of compassion within dietetic practice, particularly the role of compassion for body image tensions. Nine self-identifying gay men were recruited to a photovoice research study that explored their beliefs, values, and practices relating to food and their bodies. Compassion was found as one way to navigate body images tensions. It is not the intent of this article to review all aspects of this research study but to use it as an example to illustrate compassion in dietetics. We suggest that our findings reveal the strength of using compassionate practice within the dietetic profession. In doing so, we call upon dietitians to incorporate compassion into their clinical and client care practices to foster health and healing for all communities, especially among those who struggle with body image tensions.
Résumé
Notre objectif en rédigeant cette perspective pour la pratique est de sensibiliser au rôle de la compassion dans la pratique de la diététique, en particulier en ce qui a trait aux tensions liées à l’image corporelle. Neuf hommes s’identifiant comme homosexuels ont été recrutés pour une étude basée sur la méthode Photovoice qui explorait leurs croyances, valeurs et pratiques relativement à l’alimentation et à leur corps. La compassion s’est avérée être un moyen de gérer les tensions liées à l’image corporelle. L’objectif de cet article n’est pas de passer en revue tous les aspects de cette étude de recherche, mais de l’utiliser à titre d’exemple pour illustrer la compassion en diététique. Nous suggérons que nos conclusions révèlent les forces de la compassion au sein de la profession de diététiste. Ce faisant, nous invitons les diététistes à intégrer la compassion à leur pratique clinique et de soins aux clients afin de favoriser la santé et la guérison dans toutes les communautés, en particulier celles qui vivent des tensions liées à l’image corporelle.
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Financial support: This research was funded by The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (GSD-152289): the Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships Doctoral Award and the Izaak Walton Killam Pre-Doctoral Scholarships.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 82 • Number 3 • September 2021
Pages: 115 - 120
Editor: Dawna Royall
History
Version of record online: 21 July 2021
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© 2021.
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PhillipJoyPhD, LisaGoldbergPhD, MatthewNumerPhD, SaraKirkPhD, MeganAstonPhD, and LaureneRehmanPhD. 2021. Compassionate Bodies, Compassionate Practice: Navigating Body Image Tensions among Gay Men. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
82(3): 115-120. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2021-012
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