Ethics of recommending weight loss in older adults: A case study

Healthcare professionals may confront ethical issues in practice, particularly when their values conflict with that of their patients or clients. This paper explores an ethical case study in which a dietitian who practices Health at Every Size® has an older adult client who wishes to lose weight. The dietitian believes that losing weight is inappropriate for this client. Using a framework for ethical decision making, this article explores the problem or dilemma, identifies the potential issues involved, discusses the relevant ethical codes, laws, and regulations, and explores possible courses of action and their consequences. By exploring an ethical issue that healthcare professionals may encounter in practice, we can gain a deeper understanding of ethical decision making.