Health At Every Size
Weight has become such a heavy focus in our society that nothing else seems to matter. Everyone has
their own ideas about what is beautiful and healthy, but what does science say? Does science support
thinner being healthier? Or does science acknowledge health is not always related to weight?
their own ideas about what is beautiful and healthy, but what does science say? Does science support
thinner being healthier? Or does science acknowledge health is not always related to weight?
Obesity is known to be linked to diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. It’s relationship
to these diseases have turned our society into a weight-loss society out of fear of obesity and disease.
There are fad diets everywhere telling people how to lose weight fast and “keep it off!” However, the fear
of obesity has caused most people to overlook the negative parts of these diets, physically and mentally,
as well as the potential myth of obesity equalling disease.
to these diseases have turned our society into a weight-loss society out of fear of obesity and disease.
There are fad diets everywhere telling people how to lose weight fast and “keep it off!” However, the fear
of obesity has caused most people to overlook the negative parts of these diets, physically and mentally,
as well as the potential myth of obesity equalling disease.
wellbeing. HAES promotes three principles to focus on overall wellbeing: encourage body acceptance,
support intuitive eating, and support active embodiment” (1). Focusing on weight loss for health can, in
fact, be detrimental to health, physically and emotionally. There is a stigma associated with being
overweight or obese and associated with failing at diets. Weight-focused physical health is not what is
best for most people. Research is showing that being underweight can negatively impact health
outcomes more than being overweight. Weight alone does not determine health.
HAES is a opportunity to share science with the public that there is research supporting body
acceptance. This is not to say that the movement encourages unhealthy lifestyles that contribute to
obesity. HAES wants to encourage people to approach weight like they approach anything in life: as an
individual. Every person has a different healthy weight. Every person has a different healthy eating
pattern. Every person has a different approach to mental and emotional health. HAES was not
developed to disregard true concerns regarding obesity and the dangerous consequences it can have.
It was developed to teach people that these consequences are not guaranteed and should not be able to determine someone’s self worth.
acceptance. This is not to say that the movement encourages unhealthy lifestyles that contribute to
obesity. HAES wants to encourage people to approach weight like they approach anything in life: as an
individual. Every person has a different healthy weight. Every person has a different healthy eating
pattern. Every person has a different approach to mental and emotional health. HAES was not
developed to disregard true concerns regarding obesity and the dangerous consequences it can have.
It was developed to teach people that these consequences are not guaranteed and should not be able to determine someone’s self worth.
OP
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