Why We Use the HAES Approach in Our Eating Disorder Program
At our practice, we believe that healing from an eating disorder requires more than just changing eating habits—it requires changing the way we think about bodies, health, and worth. That’s why we use the HAES approach as the foundation of our eating disorder treatment program. HAES helps our clients move away from harmful diet culture messages and toward a more compassionate, sustainable relationship with food, movement, and their bodies.
What Is HAES?
Health at Every Size is a different way of thinking about health. Instead of focusing on weight loss, HAES encourages people to take care of their bodies by eating in a way that feels good, moving in ways they enjoy, and accepting their bodies as they are. It’s about building healthy habits and improving overall well-being, no matter your size.
The Evidence Behind HAES
Research shows this approach works. Clifford and Morris (2015) found that non-diet programs like HAES helped people feel better about their bodies, eat more mindfully, and even improve physical health—all without focusing on weight loss. Another study by Van Dyke and Drinkwater (2013) showed that intuitive eating, a key part of HAES, is linked to better health, less stress about food, and more body confidence.
Bacon and Aphramor (2011) also argued that focusing on weight alone isn’t helpful and can even be harmful. They suggest we shift the focus to healthy behaviors instead. The takeaway? You don’t have to change your body size to take care of your health, and everyone deserves respectful, supportive care, no matter their shape or weight.
Why It Matters in Eating Disorder Recovery
For individuals recovering from eating disorders, this approach can be life-changing. Diet culture and weight stigma often play a major role in the development and maintenance of disordered eating. HAES offers an alternative path—one where people can reconnect with their bodies, rebuild trust in themselves, and pursue health in a way that is empowering and free from shame. By centering HAES in our program, we help clients find a deeper, more lasting recovery rooted in self-respect and holistic well-being.
To speak with our eating disorder specialist and learn more about our program, click here. For more eating disorder resources, click here.
References
Bacon, L., & Aphramor, L. (2011). Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift. Nutrition Journal, 10(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-10-9
Clifford, D., & Morris, T. L. (2015). The Impact of Non-Diet Approaches on Attitudes, Behaviors, and Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 47(2), 143–155.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2014.12.002
Van Dyke, N., & Drinkwater, E. J. (2013). Relationships between intuitive eating and health indicators: literature review. Public Health Nutrition, 17(8), 1757–1766. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002139
