Health at Every Size emerged in the 1960s as a public health approach that aims to de-emphasize weight loss as a primary health objective and promote a reduction in the discrimination faced by individuals who are overweight or obese. Supporters contend that conventional methods targeting weight loss, such as dieting, do not consistently yield favorable health results - and indeed often lead to unfavorable results including disordered eating - and that it is more productive to focus on healthy lifestyle behaviors. HAES-informed therapy focuses on the individual’s life experience, context (including size discrimination and fatphobia where applicable), and unique skills and abilities.

How does HAES work?

HAES has five key principles:

Weight Neutrality: emphasizes that body weight is not an accurate determinant of an individual's overall health. People come in diverse shapes and sizes, and health outcomes should not be solely linked to weight.

Respectful Care: promotes respectful and compassionate healthcare practices that do not stigmatize or discriminate against individuals based on their body size. 

Size Acceptance: promotes body acceptance and self-compassion. It aims to challenge societal beauty standards and encourages individuals to embrace their bodies at any size.

Balanced Eating: encourages a healthy relationship with food by focusing on intuitive eating and listening to the body's hunger and fullness cues. It rejects restrictive diets and promotes a balanced approach to nutrition.

Joyful Movement: emphasizes the importance of enjoyable and sustainable physical activity rather than exercise solely for weight loss purposes. It encourages individuals to engage in pleasurable activities that promote their overall well-being.

Health Enhancement: focuses on health-enhancing behaviors rather than weight loss as the primary goal. 

Who can HAES help?

HAES especially benefits people with weight concerns, body shame, or disordered eating patterns. 

References: HAES Health Sheets, Association for Size Diversity and Health, NIH

Marcus Berley is a Self Space Seattle therapist who works with high-achieving people who want to access the deeper areas of their lived experience, including individuals who struggle to fully enjoy their success and couples who struggle to address conflict and cultivate a more intimate connection.