Health at every size (or HAES) is a lifestyle counselling approach that promotes mindful eating and lifestyle behaviours to pursue health and wellness, without focusing on weight loss. Weight loss is seen as a beneficial side effect , rather than a goal. The Association for Size Diversity and Health first developed the approach in 2003 and revised it in 2013 and 2024.
Its current core principles promote: minimising weight discrimination encouraging body acceptance intuitive eating enjoyable physical activities. It also aims to address stigma and discrimination that people in larger bodies may experience when seeking medical care. Internationally, a range of health professionals have incorporated the HAES approach into their treatment and services.
Some organisations, such as Obesity Canada , have included HAES in their guidelines for obesity treatment . How does it compare with weight-focused treatments? We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all the research studies published until November 2022 that had used HAES-based programs. Across 19 scientific papers, we compared the outcomes of people living in larger bodies who used HAES-based programs with : conventional weight loss programs (six studies) people on waiting lists receiving no treatment at all (six studies) groups where people received weekly social support in groups (four studies).
We evaluated the program’s impact on appetite, weight, physical health measurements including cholesterol and blood pre.