ASDAH Frequently Asked Questions page

Potential and current members of ASDAH, researchers, and media representatives often ask similar questions about the organization and/or Health At Every Size^SM. This page provides brief responses and citations to address some of these questions. More in-depth documentation is available on our Resources page. Please also feel free to contact us directly with other questions you may have.

What is ASDAH?
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.

ASDAH is an international professional organization composed of individuals who are committed to the principles of Health At Every Size^SM (HAES^SM) .

What are the principles of Health At Every Size^SM (HAES^SM)?
• Accepting and respecting the diversity of body shapes and sizes.
• Recognizing that health and well-being are multi-dimensional and that they include physical,
  social, spiritual, occupational, emotional, and intellectual aspects.
• Promoting all aspects of health and well-being for people of all sizes.
• Promoting eating in a manner which balances individual nutritional needs, hunger, satiety,
  appetite, and pleasure.
• Promoting individually appropriate, enjoyable, life-enhancing physical activity, rather than exercise
  that is focused on a goal of weight loss.

Who can become a member of ASDAH?
ASDAH is composed of professionals and laypersons from a wide variety of disciplines: health-related, academic, organizational, and socio-cultural. Membership is open to any individual whose employment or volunteer work promotes the Health At Every Size^SM Principles. (see above)

Do you need to endorse the HAES^SM principles in order to be a member of ASDAH?
Yes.

Is ASDAH only concerned with health and size issues for larger people?
No. ASDAH’s mission is to promote health, well-being and respect for ALL body shapes and sizes. Because the global culture is focused on “obesity,” much of our current work has been on that front.

Does ASDAH recommend a particular nutrition or physical activity plan to achieve a healthy weight?
No. ASDAH, as an organizational body, does not endorse or promote the use of any particular product or program. We do recommend that individuals work with trusted professionals in a variety of disciplines to assess their individual needs.

ASDAH believes in promoting all aspects of health and well-being for people of all sizes. In particular, we advocate eating in a manner that balances individual nutritional needs with hunger, satiety, appetite, and pleasure. We also enthusiastically support individually appropriate, enjoyable, life enhancing physical activity rather than exercise for the purpose of weight loss.