The health at any size paradigm for obesity treatment: the scientific evidence.
Traditional weight loss (TWL) treatments have been unsuccessful at reducing the prevalence of obesity in the population. Health-care professionals and consumers have criticized TWL treatments as being detrimental to the obese person's health. Consequently, an alternative approach to obesity treatment, the health at any size (H@AS) paradigm, has been proposed. The H@AS paradigm is based on the philosophy that once diet restrictions and barriers to activity have been removed, the individual will develop healthier eating and activity patterns that lead to a naturally healthy body weight. This paper reviews the philosophical foundation and the scientific data that support and oppose the H@AS paradigm and compares it with that of TWL treatments.
Exercise Science Programs, George Washington University Medical Center, 817 23rd Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA. wmiller@gwu.edu
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D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006293:Health Promotion; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015431:Weight Loss