British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women's Health (BCCEWH)
Media Type:
Online
Summarizes how overweight and obesity affect women by looking at sex, gender and diversity. Also critiques the BMI as an accurate measure of overweight and obesity.
HAES calls itself “the new peace movement”, and maintains that good health can best be realized independently from considerations of size, and supports people of all sizes in addressing health directly by adopting healthy behaviours.
Describes the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach and how it differs from a conventional treatment model in its emphasis on self-acceptance and healthy day-to-day behaviours, whether weight changes or not.
Adapted from the book Underage and Overweight: Our Childhood Obesity Crisis – What Every Family Needs to Know, 2005. Copyright 2008, 2004, by Francie M. Berg.
Finds some significant differences between women and men when looking at obesity, showing, for example, that income is more strongly related to obesity for women than for men. Also finds that income, rural residence and minority status (mainly Aboriginal) are related to obesity in women and men even when controlling for health (or lifestyle) behaviours, such as inactivity, fruit and vegetable consumption and alcohol use. Their analysis of obesity is limited, as the authors note, by fact that data on “access to healthy foods and food outlets, consumption of traditional diets, caloric density, marketing of foods and beverages high in sugar and fat to children, and portion sizes have not been considered in the analysis.” The report was also limited by other factors, such as the fact that those not reporting body mass index (BMI) measurement (e.g. pregnant women) were excluded
Presents the views of Frances Berg, a proponent of and pioneer in the Health At Every Size (HAES) movement, a philosophy that advocates normal diet-free eating, active living, and a respectful and positive environment that promotes total health and well-being for people of all sizes. Provides critical links between research and practical application on weight and eating issues.
Synthesizes the current state of knowledge related to: 1) the nature and extent of the problem of obesity, 2) the impact of obesity as a case for prevention and control, 3) a population health perspective on the determinants of obesity, and 4) effectiveness of strategies for addressing obesity and its determinants. Identifies priorities for future policy-relevant research and presents the author's options for promising interventions for reducing population obesity levels.
