Health At Every Size (HAES) is a weight-neutral approach to health. HAES practitioners believe that, regardless of your size, it is more important to focus on healthy behaviours than weight loss.
HAES is based on evidence that dieting for weight loss is ineffective (most people eventually gain back the weight they lose) and often harmful (some weight loss methods and repeatedly losing and regaining weight can have their own health risks). Advocates of HAES also point out that, apart from at the extremes, there is little evidence to show carrying extra weight reduces longevity. In fact, in many cases the research shows that those who are overweight live longer.
Several studies have compared the HAES approach to conventional treatment (focused on weight) and the findings are in favour of HAES. Changing the focus from weight to health is associated with significant improvements in:
health measures, such as blood pressure and blood fats
health behaviours, such as diet quality and eating and activity habits
psychosocial outcomes, such as self-esteem and body image
These improvements are greater than with weight-focused treatments and without the negative effects. And studies don’t show that taking the focus off weight leads to weight gain.
On the other hand, dieting to lose weight, particularly weight cycling (repeated attempts at losing weight and then regaining) can have negative effects on both physical and mental health. Placing an emphasis on weight control can lead to disordered eating and body dissatisfaction, and there is some evidence to suggest that dieting predicts future weight gain.
HAES doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t or that you won’t lose weight. But this approach doesn’t focus on weight loss. Instead the focus is on healthy eating, regular movement, adequate sleep and managing stress levels. Rather than a restrictive diet, you are encouraged to make healthy food choices, listen to your appetite and eat mindfully. For some people this may lead to weight loss, but this isn’t the focus or goal. And if you are healthy but not losing weight, HAES encourages acceptance of your size and shape.
In essence, HAES shifts the focus from weight to health. It doesn’t mean that every person is automatically healthy at every weight. Instead, it’s about incorporating healthy behaviours which improve health outcomes irrespective of size or weight. Developed by the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH), the HAES approach also encourages working to end weight discrimination, weight stigma, and weight bias.
For more information about HAES and to find a practitioner in your area, visit:
http://www.haesaustralia.org.au/find-a-haes-specialist.html
References:
Bacon & Aphramor. Weight science: evaluating the evidence for a paradigm shift. Nutr J. 2011 Jan 24;10:9.
Tylka et al. The weight-inclusive versus weight-normative approach to health: evaluating the evidence for prioritizing well-being over weight loss. J Obes. 2014;2014:983495.
