Current Impacts of The Health at Every Size Model Upon Adolescent Health Outcomes: A Literature Review
| dc.contributor.author | Wooldridge, Joelle | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-05-17T18:44:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-05-17T18:44:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023-05-15 | |
| dc.date.submitted | 2024-05-17T18:44:40Z | en_US |
| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Child and adolescent obesity is a global concern. The number of youths with obesity is increasing exponentially with subsequent increases in obesity related co-morbidities. Current approaches to treat obesity include weight-normative style interventions which provide no longterm benefits and have increased risk of physical and psychological harms. The Health at Every Size (HAES) model is a safe and inclusive alternative to traditional diet and exercise prescriptions. This approach has been shown to improve patients’ overall health within adult populations. Based on these prior studies, HAES shows great promise for use in adolescent health. Objective: The purpose of this review is to consolidate the current literature available pertaining to use of Health at Every Size and other weight-inclusive strategies within the adolescent population. Through analysis of current evidence, this literature review aims to determine which of the five principles of the Health at Every Size model are effective for improving overall health in the adolescent population. Methods: A literature search using PubMed, Wiley Online Library and the University of Manitoba Online Library databases was conducted using key terms pertaining to Health at Every Size ideology and its associated principles. Eleven articles and one clinical practice guideline were found to meet the inclusion criteria and were included in this literature review. Results: Common themes found across the twelve documents reviewed included positive outcomes in both mental health and sustainable personal care practices in the weight-inclusive intervention groups. Both weight-inclusive and weight-normative groups found improvements in physical health measures. There were minimal improvements in participant weight biases and stigmatization in intervention groups. Conclusion: The Health at Every Size approach to adolescent obesity and health enhancement is effective for improving physical and psychological health. In addition, it teaches sustainable health practices with very little risk to the patient. Adolescence is a time of great change and vulnerability and using an approach that is protective of long-term physical and psychological health outcomes is of the utmost importance. Further research is required on promotion and incorporation of this strategy into primary adolescent care. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/1993/38241 | |
| dc.language.iso | eng | |
| dc.rights | open access | en_US |
| dc.title | Current Impacts of The Health at Every Size Model Upon Adolescent Health Outcomes: A Literature Review | |
| dc.type | manuscript | |
| local.author.affiliation | Rady Faculty of Health Sciences::Max Rady College of Medicine::Department of Family Medicine |