3 Steps to Embracing “Health At Every Size” in Your Nutrition Practice

Vincci Tsui is a registered dietician and certified intuitive eating counselor based in Calgary, Canada, who focuses on fighting weight stigma and fat acceptance in the health community.

What is Health At Every Size (HAES)?

HAES stands for “Health at Every Size”. It is an inclusive movement that seeks inclusivity and focuses on having “Dignity, respect, happiness, and health accessibility to all bodies,” Vincci says. 

This includes the newfound reclaiming of the word “fat” within the health community, which sees the word as a matter of fact––not one of judgement. 

How The Stigma Around Body Size Affects Patient Care

For many people who struggle with weight, their healthcare experience is largely focused on their weight, even for non-related issues.

“There are lots of studies that show that doctors, nurses, even dietitians, and nutritionists — their attitude and biases they hold against fat people affect the healthcare that they provide towards these folks,” says Vincci.

How Dietitians and Nutritionists Can Become More Inclusive in Their Nutrition Practice

Often, it’s hard to see our own biases that can affect the level of care and guidance we offer our clients. Here’s how to improve the level of care for your clients by embracing the Health At Every Size movement.

Hold space for your clients.

As a dietitian or nutritionist, it may be tempting to steer the conversation directly to food right away, but take the time to stop, listen, and learn. 

Oftentimes listening to a person’s story will provide the basis for what you should work on with them, instead of leaping to assumptions.

Learn and Unlearn

With all of the information floating around the courses you have taken or the podcasts you’ve listened to, it’s important to step back and realize what you have taken in. 

“Me even saying the word ‘fat’ is bringing up some emotions for some people, but even thinking about some of the assumptions that we make when when we think of weight, right? Like, when you think of someone who's in a larger body sitting in front of you in your office? What are some assumptions that you might be making about their lifestyle, about their personality? Those sorts of things.”

Considering your own beliefs and biases will help you create a place that is both healthy and effective for every client. 

Gather info from a diverse array of sources.

Take a look at your background, beliefs, and privileges. Then look at where you get your information. 

Are they the same? Or different?

Collecting information from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences will allow you to understand some of the different lifestyles and issues that may be happening in your clients’ lives. 

In finding different stories, you’ll be sure to be as inclusive as possible within your own practice.

If you’re interested in learning more about Vincci and her practice, find her at www.vinccitsui.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @vinccird.