More than half of the participants reported negative impacts on their emotions, self-esteem, and mental health when asked to step on the scale.

Many expressed concerns about potential discrimination based on their weight, leading to a need for policy changes to protect patients' rights and mental health.

The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the relationship between patients and healthcare providers.

Patients should be informed of their right to refuse being weighed.

The study included 384 adult women with diverse body sizes, and the negative emotional and mental health effects of being weighed were not limited to any specific body type or size.

This suggests that the impact is not solely related to body image concerns.

The findings support the notion that weighing patients during a healthcare visit is often unnecessary.

Policy-level changes are necessary to protect patients' mental health.

The study highlights the urgent need to train healthcare providers to understand and address the concerns associated with being weighed.

Approximately 30% of women are refusing to be weighed, and some avoid healthcare altogether to avoid stepping on the scale.

Inclusive healthcare is crucial to ensure that everyone receives the care they need and improve long-term health outcomes.

Educating healthcare providers about this issue is essential to provide better care.

Weighing patients at the end of the visit, when medically necessary, could help reduce stress-related issues.

The study suggests that weighing patients at the end of a visit, once medical necessity is determined, could reduce stress-related issues like increased blood pressure.

This approach can mitigate the negative impact of being weighed when it is medically necessary.

Healthcare providers should prioritize inclusivity and patient comfort during visits.

This collaboration allowed for a diverse participant group, enhancing the generalizability of the findings.

The study's results contribute to the growing body of research on the impact of weighing patients during healthcare visits.

Further research and policy changes are necessary for inclusive and patient-centered healthcare practices.

Considering patients' mental health and well-being is vital in healthcare.

The increasing number of people, particularly women, refusing to be weighed at the doctor's office underscores the negative impact on emotions, self-esteem, and mental health.

Healthcare providers need training to address this issue and ensure inclusivity.