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?


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.
Health At Every Size (HAES) is a current movement to shift the focus from weight to overall health and
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.
OP
Image from: http://fivehundredpoundpeeps.blogspot.com/2011/01/health-at-any-size-and-healthism-in.html

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more