If you’ve been reading along for awhile now, you are probably familiar with the term intuitive eating. Today, I’d like to dive a little deeper into another term I use in practice - Health At Every Size (HAES), a term coined by The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), a non-profit organization that was founded in 2003.
ASDAH states “The Health At Every Size® movement is a continuously evolving alternative to the weight-centered approach to treating clients and patients of all sizes. It is also a movement working to promote size acceptance, to end weight discrimination and stigma, and to lessen the cultural obsession with weight loss and thinness” (ASDAH).
Just as intuitive eating has core principles, HAES has 5 main principles. I like to think of these principles as their mission statement. These principles are not rules in any way. The HAES principles were first formed in 2003 by an original committee. Since then, they were updated in 2013 and more recently will be updated during the 2022-2023 board year by the current committee.
The HAES Principles are:
Weight Inclusivity
Healthcare should be and must be accessible to all people no matter their size. Individuals living in larger bodies often avoid seeking medical care. Our healthcare system and society has created huge barriers to allow access to PROPER medical care to individuals of all sizes. Reject the idea that there is a “perfect” or “ideal” body. Respect and accept the diversity of our own genetic blueprints and body shapes.
Health Enhancement
We must eliminate oppression, including fatphobia and weight bias. These are present amongst all ages in our society, including the workplace, schools, and our healthcare system. It is possible to improve one's health without a focus on weight.
Eating For Well-Being
There is no perfect way of eating and no perfect diet plan. Eating should not be stressful, it should be flexible and individualized. Eating should be for nourishment, pleasure and satiety, rather than for weight control.
Respectful Care
In this principle, there are two key concepts - informed consent and body autonomy. Any procedure should first have patient consent, which can not be given without full knowledge of risks and possible outcomes. Weight loss recommendations are often given without consent.
Life-Enhancing Movement
Physical movement should be inclusive of all sizes and abilities. Movement should be enjoyable and not something that is done for body recomposition. Movement can come in all forms and does not need to be done for a certain amount of time or contain a certain number of repetitions for it to be considered adequate.
While these principles are not perfect, they are a step in promoting a more inclusive environment. Weight does not determine health, despite what society has led us to believe. All bodies are worthy and deserve dignity and respect.
Lastly, I want you to know that there are HAES providers out there. It is possible to have medical and health care without weight and weight loss as the focus. If you or someone you know has had a poor experience with a healthcare provider, consider searching for a HAES aligned provider or weight-neutral provider. You can use the Health at Every Size® Healthcare Provider Listing on the ASDAH website to search for providers in your area. It is a limited resource, but as telehealth is now more readily available, that can also be an option. In addition to the ASDAH website, I highly recommend the book Health At Every Size by Lindo Bacon. As you read, I encourage you to think about your own personal biases.
