What is HAES?

HAES stands for Health At Every Size. It is a movement and approach to health that emphasizes body diversity and the idea that people of all sizes can pursue healthy behaviors without a focus on weight loss or achieving a particular body size or shape.

The HAES approach emphasizes body acceptance and self-care behaviors, such as mindful eating, joyful movement, and stress management, rather than restrictive diets or excessive exercise. The goal is to promote overall well-being and improve health outcomes, rather than simply focusing on weight loss.

The HAES approach is rooted in the belief that weight is not a reliable indicator of health, and that weight stigma and discrimination can have negative effects on physical and mental health. Advocates of the HAES approach promote a more inclusive and respectful approach to health care, free from weight bias and discrimination.

What are some of the principles of HAES?

Here are some of the key principles of a Health At Every Size (HAES) approach:

1. Weight Inclusivity: HAES promotes acceptance and respect for body diversity, and recognizes that health and well-being can be achieved at any size.
2. Health Enhancement: The HAES approach emphasizes behaviors that support overall well-being, such as nourishing food choices, enjoyable physical activity, and stress management, rather than focusing on weight loss as the primary goal.
3. Respectful Care: HAES advocates for healthcare that is free from weight bias and discrimination, and that supports patients in making informed choices about their health and well-being.
4. Eating for Well-being: The HAES approach promotes intuitive eating, which involves listening to and honoring the body's hunger and fullness signals, and making food choices that support overall health and well-being.
5. Life-Enhancing Movement: HAES encourages physical activity that is enjoyable and sustainable, rather than exercise that is focused solely on burning calories or achieving a certain body shape or size.
6. Self-compassion: The HAES approach emphasizes self-care and self-compassion, which involves treating oneself with kindness and understanding, rather than self-criticism or punishment.

Overall, the HAES approach recognizes that health and well-being are multi-dimensional and that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving them. It promotes a compassionate and inclusive approach to health and wellness that celebrates the diversity of human bodies and experiences.

How can a dietitian help with intuitive eating?

A registered dietitian (RD) can play an important role in supporting individuals who are interested in a Health At Every Size (HAES) approach to health and wellness. Here are some ways that an RD can help:

1. Providing Nutrition Education: An RD can help clients understand the role of food and nutrition in supporting overall health and well-being, and can provide guidance on making balanced and nourishing food choices.
2. Encouraging Intuitive Eating: RDs can help clients learn to tune in to their hunger and fullness signals and develop a more positive relationship with food, free from restrictive dieting and food rules.
3. Promoting Body Acceptance: RDs can help clients cultivate a more positive body image and learn to appreciate their bodies for all that they can do, rather than focusing solely on weight or body size.
4. Supporting Physical Activity: RDs can help clients find enjoyable and sustainable forms of physical activity that promote overall well-being, without a focus on burning calories or achieving a certain body shape or size.
5. Addressing Nutrition Concerns: RDs can help clients manage health conditions or concerns, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, through personalized nutrition recommendations and lifestyle changes.
6. Providing Compassionate Care: RDs can offer support, encouragement, and non-judgmental guidance to help clients navigate the challenges of pursuing a more HAES-focused approach to health and wellness.

Overall, an RD can play an important role in helping clients adopt a more compassionate and holistic approach to health and wellness, free from the negative impacts of diet culture and weight stigma.