Historically, body shape and size measures the health of a person. Health At Every Size (HAES) is a medical and behavioral movement advocating for a deeper view of health, beyond the ineffective focus of weight and body type. Stereotypes of body size and shape endorse pressure for individuals to meet aesthetic goals and ignore signs of systemic and cognitive deficiencies. Offering a new definition of health assists patients to individualize their treatment in Eating Disorder recovery. 

This presentation reviews barriers to HAES, current research and practices within HAES teachings, and discusses how to implement HAES practices into ED treatment. Specific attention given to applicable techniques integrating into motivational interviewing, exercise integration, body image work, therapeutic accountability and biochemical data for medical professionals.

The intended audience for this presentation spans the interdisciplinary treatment team involved in the treatment of an eating disorder (ED) patient. Attendees receive tangible tools to recognize, assess, and treat patients with an open approach to physical measures of health.