What is a HAES provider and how do you find one?

Many people have negative and traumatizing experiences at the doctor’s office, which ultimately can lead to people not receiving the health care services they need. Finding a provider aligned with your values can be an important part of your health care journey.

According to The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) health at every size (HAES) “affirms a holistic definition of health, which cannot be characterized as the absence of physical or mental illness, limitation, or disease.

Rather, health exists on a continuum that varies with time and circumstance for each individual. Health should be conceived as a resource or capacity available to all regardless of health condition or ability level, and not as an outcome or objective of living. Pursuing health is neither a moral imperative nor an individual obligation, and health status should never be used to judge, oppress, or determine the value of an individual”

While you may be embracing HAES principles in your own life, finding health care providers who embody these ideals can be a challenge and take some time. Here are a few tips for beginning your search

• Use keywords such as “HAES” or “weight inclusive” in addition to provider specific details such as “OB-GYN” and “San Diego”

• Check our their website and notice any acknowledgment of weight stigma, inclusion, or privilege. Also keep an eye out for red flags such as “weight management” or mentions of weight loss.

• Call and ask directly if the provider is HAES aligned, weight inclusive, or has a non-diet approach.

ASDAH is working on a provider list that will be rolling out during the first half of 2023. We will share this resource when it is available. There are also additional databases to search of HAES-aligned practitioners.