http://www.prweb.com/releases/2009/12/prweb3345474.htm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Deb Lemire
Peggy Elam
877-576-1102
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“Health At Every Size” Offered as Solution to Harmful “Obesity” Strategies
Eating Disorders Organizations Supported in Call to Shift Focus to Health

NASHVILLE, TN˜The Association for Size Diversity and Health joins
national and international eating disorders organizations in urging school
administrators, employers and health policy makers to focus on health
rather than weight in all populations.

“We offer as a resource in this shift the principles and science behind
Health At Every Size that are available at our website,
http://www.sizediversityandhealth.org,” ASDAH president Deb Lemire said.

The weight-neutral Health At Every Size (HAES) movement calls for size
acceptance, an end to weight discrimination, and lessening of the cultural
obsession with weight loss and thinness.

Last week the Academy for Eating Disorders, Binge Eating Disorder
Association, Eating Disorders Coalition, International Association for
Eating Disorders Professionals and National Eating Disorders Association
issued an unprecedented joint press release expressing concern that
strategies in the global “war on obesity” fuel weight prejudice and contribute
to negative self-esteem, body dissatisfaction and eating-disordered behavior.
Their concern aligns with ASDAH’s position that weight-focused health
messages and practices harm the health of people of all sizes by increasing
body shame, eating-disordered behavior, and health care avoidance, and
by failing to address the health needs of all people of all sizes.

ASDAH is an international organization composed of health professionals,
scientists and activists committed to promoting all aspects of health and
well-being for all populations. Its basic principles of Health at Every Size
recognize the multidimensionality of health and well-being and promote
balanced eating and enjoyable physical activity, rather than eating or
exercise focused on weight loss.