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N o v e m b e r 0 5 - 0 6 , 2 0 1 8 | P h i l a d e l p h i a , U S A
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INTERNATIONAL OBESITY SUMMIT AND EXPO
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DIABETES, NUTRITION, METABOLISM & MEDICARE
2
nd
International Conference on
Joint Event on
OF EXCELLENCE
IN INTERNATIONAL
MEETINGS
alliedacademies.comYEARS
LASER, OPTICS AND PHOTONICS
World Conference on
Obesity Summit 2018 & Diabetes Conference 2018 & Laser Photonics Conference 2018
Biomedical Research
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ISSN: 0976-1683
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Volume 29
Biomed Res 2018, Volume 29 | DOI: 10.4066/biomedicalresearch-C7-020
DOES THE HAES APPROACH CHANGE WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE
TREATMENT OF OBESITY?
Amy Helms
New Hope Counselling and Wellness Center, USA
I
f our current attempts at weight management and the treatment of obesity demonstrate less than stellar long-term results, should
we rethink the way we approach treatment? There is no debate that the rising obesity rates are problematic on both individual
and public health levels; however, the solution to this problem leaves much room for debate. The impact of obesity at the public
health level has caused the greatest concern. Obesity rates have been a target for public health as chronic health conditions have
increased at the same time. Despite the public scrutiny over our growing obesity rates, treatment has remained one dimensional-
through the medical model. Media reports show individual responsibility for obesity as high as seventy-two to ninety eight percent,
while the scientific literature report is being closer to forty percent. While having the goal to treat obese individuals, health profes-
sionals have demonstrated fat-bias toward patients and endorsed significant stereotypes for obese individuals. Weight bias does
not appear to differ in professionals who focus their careers on the management of obesity, further demonstrating the stigma obese
individuals face on a daily basis. Once the extent of this stigma is fully understood, better interventions can be developed. Tradition-
al approach to obesity management has shown little long-term effectiveness with participants regaining on average 30% to 40% of
their lost weight within 1 year, and longer-term follow-up (2–5 years) showing a gradual return to baseline weight levels or above.
Such interventions have focused on pharmacological, surgical, and behavioral strategies. Possibly a worse effect is individual stig-
ma left after one does not see promised results. The shift from weight-focused model to the HAES challenges all key assumptions
about weight management and the obesity-associated diseases. Rather, HAES
1. encourages body acceptance,
2. Supports intuitive eating, and
3. supports active embodiment.
Further, this model suggests that any strategy should promote a healthy lifestyle that is sustainable. This may or may not include
body weight. The HAES approach explores the individual’s feelings, life experiences, and their own embodiment to discover the root
of the problem. While a new approach, literature does support its effectiveness compared to other treatment, which provides a false
hope to individuals due to the high rates of regain. HAES focuses on intuitive eating, body acceptance, and moving for activity- not
caloric reduction. The HAES approach has been effective for women with metabolic syndrome, premenopausal women, and clini-
cally obese women. The most promising results are reducing psychological distress and increasing cardiorespiratory fitness. When
compared with traditional treatment, HAES has shown to be sustainable long-term while improving self-esteem and long-term fol-
low-up. In addition to the long-term maintenance, HAES provides psychological benefits to women experiencing disordered eating
or chronic dieting behaviors, something often missed under the traditional paradigm.