2008 ASDAH Conference

REGISTRATION OPEN


Mission Statement

The Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) is an international professional organization composed of individual and organizational members who are committed to the principles of Health At Every Size (HAES).

The mission of the Association for Size Diversity and Health (ASDAH) is to promote education, research, and the provision of services which enhance health and well-being, and which are free from weight-based assumptions and weight discrimination.

Basic Principles of Health At Every Size:

  1. Accepting and respecting the diversity of body shapes and sizes
  2. Recognizing that health and well-being are multi-dimensional and that they include physical, social, spiritual, occupational, emotional, and intellectual aspects
  3. Promoting all aspects of health and well-being for people of all sizes
  4. Promoting eating in a manner which balances individual nutritional needs, hunger, satiety, appetite, and pleasure
  5. Promoting individually appropriate, enjoyable, life-enhancing physical activity, rather than exercise that is focused on a goal of weight loss

ASDAH's Long-term Goals

  1. To develop a forum for discussion, support, and continuing education for professionals who endorse the HAES philosophy
  2. To provide information, education, and resources to professionals who are interested in the HAES approach, or who are considering using the HAES approach in their work.
  3. To promote acceptance of, and respect for, size diversity, and to address cultural and societal issues related to body size and health
  4. To facilitate access to quality health care for every individual, regardless of their body size or shape
  5. To develop and maintain a website, e-group and other appropriate on-line resources for on-going communication between ASDAH members
  6. To develop a Speaker's Bureau to represent the HAES approach in educational, medical, political, legislative, research, and other appropriate venues
  7. To identify qualified HAES representatives to inform, educate, and respond to medical professionals, obesity/weight researchers and the media
  8. To develop and make available resources for implementing HAES in health, fitness, and related industries
  9. To develop and maintain resources for review and analysis of health and weight-related research, in order to encourage scientific literacy and accurate reporting of scientific news
  10. To organize a self-supporting annual conference for ASDAH members and supporters to further the mission and goals of the organization
  11. To provide policy makers with information and educational resources about the HAES approach, and to support public policies that advance the philosophy and goals of HAES