Thread by @4shade17

Health At Every Size approach / HAES >>> fat shaming

The problem of what to do about rising obesity rates is a major preoccupation of the early 21st century. Obesity has been linked with a range of chronic diseases. Fat shaming has not shown to work though. Thread about HAES 👇

The main components of the HAES approach are (1) intuitive eating, (2) body positivity - acceptance regardless of size or shape, and (3) physical activity for movement and health rather than for elite performance or to shape the body.

(1) Intuitive eating is an approach to health and food that has nothing to do with diets, meal plans, discipline or willpower. It teaches you how to get in touch with your body cues like hunger, fullness and satisfaction while learning to trust your body around food again

(2) All human beings should have a positive body image. All bodies no matter the form, size, or appearance - should be receive nothing short of acceptance. Beauty is a construct of society - which should not infringe upon one's ability to feel confidence & self-esteem

(3) Physical activity should not merely be viewed as a way to burn calories — it has much broader health benefits. Do exercises and move - not simply to lose weight or burn fat, but to be happy and have fun, and to inprome both physical and mental performance/health

HAES = intuitive eating + body positivity + fun physical activity

This is >>> diet restriction + fat burning, which has not shown to work at all in spite of the massive weight loss industry. It's time for a radical paradigm shift and the prioritisation of overall health

Whenever you come across "try to lose weight", replace those words with "eat intuitively, do more fun physical activities, and be more body positive" rather than "go on a diet and burn calories". Go beyond reducing a number to taking care of your overall health

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