Many of us hear a large number of daily messages delivered with the media, family and friends--and even from your healthcare providers--that we ought to diet and lose weight. A current article featured in the Journal of Obesity examines magic slim diet pills the way the common practice of focusing on weight reinforces stigma and negative stereotypes toward people better weights and ultimately plays a role in poor physical, mental and emotional wellbeing in people.

Within the article titled The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Method of Health: Evaluating the Evidence for Prioritizing Well-Being overweight Loss, researchers emphasize that although extensive evidence implies that a focus on dieting leads to short term weight reduction, weight regain and problematic eating behaviors, many doctors continue to concentrate on weight loss. Data shows that the "weight-normative" approach which presumes a perfect or "healthy weight" is not sustainable long-term for most people. This approach also plays a role in seating disorder for you and weight cycling which is also called "yo-yo dieting" (repeated cycles of weight loss and putting on weight, usually resulting in overall higher weight). The weight-normative approach can also be linked to several poor emotional and physical health outcomes.
The authors stress that although the weight-normative approach reinforces negative stereotypes and results in illness outcomes, the "weight-inclusive" approach is grounded within the assumption that everyone is capable of doing achieving health and wellness independent of how much they weigh when given use of non-stigmatizing health care. Within this approach, weight is not the focal point of health--and weight and size are not considered behaviors to become fixed. The article includes principles and practices for healthcare and mental health professionals that support the weight-inclusive approach:
Appreciate that bodies naturally come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Ensure optimal health and wellness for all people, regardless of their weight. Address body shame by helping people define "beauty" more broadly and focus on appreciating their health.
Have a holistic, multidimensional method of healthcare as opposed to a predominant focus on weight and weight reduction. Concentrate on encouraging emotional, physical, nutritional, social and spiritual health instead of on weight.
Help people understand that wellbeing is dynamic instead of fixed. Concentrate on day-to-day standard of living and assist individuals noticing what makes their health feel rested and energized, instead of focusing on the end-goal of losing weight.
Have a social justice method of health and concentrate on increasing access, opportunity, freedom and equity. Eradicate weight stigma and supply accommodations for all people over the weight spectrum.
Trust that individuals (and bodies) move toward greater health given access and opportunity.
The content also recommends drawing from research and incorporating evidence-based interventions. One model that includes these weight-inclusive principles is called Health at each Size which supports individuals adopting health habits with regard to health and wellness instead of weight control. This method was developed by scholars, healthcare workers, consumers and activists and is according to evidence that props up premise that the the easy way improve health would be to honor your body; accept the natural diversity of body sizes and shapes; eat in a flexible manner that values pleasure and honors internal cues of hunger, appetite and feelings of fullness; and find joy in moving your body.
Based on Peggy Crum, MA, RD, nutritionist with Michigan State University's Health4U program, "Once people forget about dieting and the notion that they have to achieve an ideal weight, they start to consider ways they can look after themselves for example including physical activity or creating a long-overdue doctor's appointment. "
The weight-inclusive approach accepts and supports human diversity - including size diversity. Practicing the weight-inclusive attitudes and behaviors also stops the stigmatizing of health issues as weight problems--and offers a more accurate, research-based knowledge of positive health and wellbeing for all people.
Michigan State University Extension provides resources for addressing bullying, bias and harassment by fostering an acceptance of human pure fat three days diversity, nurturing social and emotional health and wellness and by creating inclusive, supportive climates with, and on behalf of young people. Check out a new initiative called Be secure: Safe, Affirming and Fair Environments for more information.