Health at Every Size
(Understanding the HAES Movement)
Hello October and cooler days! Fall has arrived, at least it certainly felt like it this morning, as I sat down and began to write part 2 of “Health at Every Size.” In last month’s blog I invited you to join me on a journey of learning, understanding, and expanding our knowledge of living a healthy lifestyle regardless of our shape, or size. Today, I would like to introduce you to the founder of the HAES movement, and their extensive research and position on why weight isn’t the main cause concerning illness or disease.
Dr. Lindo Bacon, formally known as (Linda Bacon) is the entity behind the HAES movement. Their extensive research on weight and nutrition; speaks volumes of their knowledge concerning the “Health at Every Size” declaration. Dr. Bacon holds a Ph.D. in physiology with a focus on nutrition and weight regulation. With two degrees in psychology and exercise metabolism, Dr. Bacon may know a thing or two about how the body regulates weight and health. I’m excited to dive into understanding their viewpoint on the current issue of health equity outside of the aesthetics of weight and appearance.
Dr. Lindo has been quoted as saying “Diets Don’t Work” and “Saying everybody needs to be the same weight is like saying all people should be the same height.” In an online article by National Geographic. If you’d like to read it for yourself, click here. Before I accomplished the goal of becoming a dietitian, I would inform my clients that size isn’t the factor to a healthy life. Movement and informed choices are the key. When we focus on size or weight as a determinant for health, we begin to demoralize other human beings, and make them feel less than, and unacceptable. Let me make one thing clear, science has proven that morbid obesity can cause death, but being overweight or obese doesn’t necessarily equate to metabolic health problems. I am always going to research and follow the science, that’s my job. That is why I am taking the time to investigate and understand Health at Every Size, because science has proven that a person can be in a larger body and be healthy.
I hope you stay tuned for next month’s blog as I continue to read, research, and understand how society and diet culture has created an “us” against “them” mentality. In my opinion everyBODY deserves to be treated equally when it pertains to health and wellness, one size does not fit all. Until next month, remember “Small Steps Lead to Big Results” and “Don’t Just Age, Age Gracefully.”
Written by: Tammie S. Brown
Registered Dietitian and owner of Restoring Bodies Fitness & Nutrition Services