An Expansion of Weight Inclusivity to Include Body Autonomy and Harm Reduction: Striving for Health Equity

EIGHT INCLUSIVITY IS AN EMERGING approach to health care, emphasizing that everyone can achieve health and well-being irrespective of their weight. 1This approach was developed to shift the focus from weight-normative approaches that prioritize weight management to an emphasis on overall health promotion. 1It also responds to research demonstrating that restrictive eating and dieting may increase risks for disordered eating behaviors, weight cycling, and heightened instances of medical, societal, and internalized weight stigma. [1][2]2][3][4][5] Several models and frameworks are grounded in weight inclusivity, including Health in Every Respect, Physical Activity in Every Size, and Weight-Inclusive Patient Care Practices. [6][7]7][8] However, one that is used among weight-inclusive (WI) clinicians is the Health at Every Size (HAES) Framework of Care, 9 which was developed by the Association for Size Diversity and Health. 9This framework was designed to support health care providers implementing HAES principles. 1,9,10These principles encourage body acceptance as opposed to weight loss or maintenance, reliance on internal signals of hunger and satiety rather than dietary restriction, and active embodiment, as opposed to structured exercise. [10][11]1][12][13] Since the evolution of WI, HAES has become a practice among clinicians in the eating disorders and dietetics field.