Taking the Worth Out of Weight and Embodying the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) Mindset: A Q&A With Thrive Wellness Waco Lead Dietitian Jen Fletcher, M.S., RD, LD, CNSC

Thrive • July 19, 2022

An innovative concept, the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) movement challenges existing public health narratives regarding the relationship between body size and health. Offering an alternative perspective, the HAES® approach debunks the widely-held belief that weight determines one’s well-being. Learn more about how the HAES® perspective can promote whole-body health in this thought-provoking Q&A with Thrive Wellness Waco Lead Dietitian Jen Fletcher, M.S., RD, LD, CNSC.

What is the HAES® approach? 

The HAES® approach is a movement gaining in popularity that promotes all health behaviors, rather than weight management, as ways to support well-being. By asserting that body size doesn’t categorically indicate or affect health status, the HAES® perspective encourages society to focus on well-being as an attribute that people in all bodies possess.

How does the HAES® approach relate to nutrition and movement? 

In regards to nutrition , the HAES® movement supports principles of Intuitive Eating , such as: 

The HAES® perspective encourages movement for all bodies . Society is flooded with harmful narratives about diet culture , weight bias (involving prejudice based on body size), weight stigma (involving stereotypes and misconceptions), and unrealistic expectations for how bodies “should” look. These misleading cultural messages can make movement seem less accessible to some individuals. Alternatively, HAES® promotes acceptance of all bodies and empowers individuals to move in ways they enjoy. Meeting every individual where they are, the HAES® approach endorses personal choice in movement, respect for ability levels, and self-kindness as they explore what movement means to them. 

What does it mean to be a HAES®-informed eating disorder recovery provider? 

While diet culture , weight bias, and weight stigma can contribute to the development of eating disorders ,  incorporating the HAES® ideals can help counteract these harmful societal narratives. HAES®-informed eating disorder recovery providers are weight inclusive and uphold the truth that all bodies are deserving of respect and compassionate care . HAES®-informed eating disorder recovery providers also guide clients in creating health goals that aren’t focused on weight which helps foster sustainable, healthy lifestyle changes for lasting recovery. By integrating HAES® principles into practice, providers are able to create mentally and physically supportive environments that are conducive to healing for all bodies. 

How does a HAES® perspective benefit well-being? 

A harmonious relationship with one’s body can nurture a peaceful relationship with food and eating . By empowering a person to accept their body as it is, HAES® promotes a deeper mind-body connection and creates a natural pathway to practicing intuitive eating. Overall, HAES® allows for a shift in mindset that inspires individuals to ditch diets, enjoy true satisfaction during everyday eating experiences, and free themselves from societal pressure to achieve unrealistic body ideals. 

What are some common misconceptions about HAES®? 

The HAES® movement encourages individuals to disregard any societal or medical meaning given to the measurement of weight. Even still, many individuals falsely assume that if weight goals aren’t present, health will suffer. This isn’t the case. Research shows that a HAES® approach is associated with improvements in health, metabolic risk factors, and eating disorder behaviors. 

Additionally, individuals often misunderstand the HAES® movement to mean that the entire range of the size spectrum is considered “healthy.” In reality, body size doesn’t determine well-being. It’s important to shift the focus away from weight and related goals and instead concentrate on healthy behaviors . By its very nature, weight isn’t a behavior, and thus can’t be implemented to promote well-being.

How can people adopt a HAES® mindset? 

By appreciating your body exactly how it is right now, you can begin embracing the HAES® mindset. This may feel like a classic “easier said than done” situation, but the truth is that all bodies are deserving of love, compassion, respect, and care . We are all created to be unique in so many ways, including the inherent diversity of body shape and size. By wholeheartedly accepting your body, you can begin your journey to having a peaceful, healthy relationship with your entire self.

LEARN TO LOVE YOUR BODY

At Thrive Wellness, we want everyone to feel comfortable and connected with their bodies, but we also understand the many complex factors that can interfere with this. Approaching treatment from the perspective that physical, mental, and behavioral health are intertwined, we offer comprehensive, compassionate care for all. Our HAES®-informed, interdisciplinary team includes mental and behavioral health specialists, registered dietitians, psychiatric professionals, and additional clinical support staff.* They collaborate on each individual’s care to help them lead happy, healthy, body-positive lives. Reach out to learn more about our healthcare services

*Additional services and providers may be available depending on location.
About the Contributor
Thrive Wellness Waco Lead Dietitian Jen Fletcher, M.S., RD, LD, CNSC

Jen Fletcher earned a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences from Texas A&M University and a master’s degree in nutrition and dietetics from Texas Tech University. She also completed a dietetic internship at Texas A&M and is a certified nutrition support clinician (CNSC). With several years of experience as a clinical dietician, Jen specializes in medical nutrition therapy with a focus on critical care. Her career spans working in intensive care, newborn intensive care, oncology, renal, and progressive care units.

Jen is passionate about promoting healing through nutrition and believes that proper nourishment is fundamental to living life to the fullest. Through her practice, she is committed to helping others enhance their relationships with food and their bodies on their journey to recovery. At Thrive Wellness Waco, Jen works alongside a multidisciplinary team to treat those who are struggling with eating disorders to do just that. She aspires to make a positive impact in the lives of others and takes pride in being part of a team and organization dedicated to quality, community-driven care.

Jen savors spending her spare time in the company of friends and family, including her husband and cat. She enjoys reading, running, indoor cycling, watching TV with her husband, and taking “way too many” pictures of her feline fur baby.

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August 21, 2025
When Emma was 8, her parents noticed her food choices shrinking. At first, they assumed it was just picky eating — “She’ll outgrow it,” friends said. But by 10, Emma would only eat crackers, cheese, and chicken nuggets. Family dinners became nightly struggles, her growth slowed, and she skipped birthday parties to avoid “strange food.” Her parents felt powerless, her brother grew frustrated, and outings dwindled. What began as food avoidance soon reshaped the rhythm of the entire household. When children avoid food, most parents expect it’s a passing stage. But when restriction deepens, shrinks to only a few “safe foods,” and begins affecting growth or health, families suddenly find themselves in unfamiliar territory. This is often where Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) emerges — with effects that extend far beyond the plate. As providers, we need to be attuned to these patterns. It’s tempting to dismiss them as “no big deal,” yet for many families, they are life-altering. Sadly, Emma’s story is not unusual. Mealtimes as Battlegrounds Families living with ARFID often describe mealtimes as emotionally charged, exhausting, and unpredictable. What should be a chance to connect around the table can feel more like a negotiation or even a standoff. Parents wrestle with whether to push their child to try a new food or give in to the same “safe foods” again and again to avoid tears, gagging, or complete meltdowns. This ongoing tension can make mealtimes dreaded rather than cherished. Siblings, too, are affected. Some may feel resentful when family meals are limited to what only one child will tolerate. Others may act out in response to the constant attention the child with ARFID receives. Over time, the dinner table shifts from a place of nourishment and bonding into a stage for conflict, anxiety, and guilt — a pattern that can erode family cohesion and resilience. Social Isolation and Missed Experiences ARFID impacts more than what happens at home; it influences how families engage with the world around them. Everyday events — birthday parties, school lunches, vacations, even extended family dinners — become sources of stress. Parents may pack special foods to avoid confrontation or, in many cases, decline invitations altogether to protect their child from embarrassment or overwhelm. This avoidance can lead to an unintended consequence: isolation. Families miss out on milestones, friendships, and traditions because of the unpredictability surrounding food. The child may feel left out or ashamed, while parents grieve the loss of “normal” family experiences. This social withdrawal can compound the anxiety already present in ARFID and deepen its impact across generations. Emotional Toll on Parents The emotional strain on parents navigating ARFID is significant. Many describe living in a constant state of worry — Will my child get enough nutrients? Will they ever grow out of this? Am I doing something wrong? This worry often spirals into guilt and self-blame, particularly when outside voices dismiss the disorder as mere “picky eating.” In addition, the pressure to “fix” mealtimes can strain marital relationships, creating disagreements over discipline, feeding strategies, or medical decisions. Parents may also feel emotionally depleted, pouring all their energy into managing one child’s needs while inadvertently neglecting themselves or their other children. Without support, this chronic stress can lead to burnout, depression, and disconnection within the family system. The Role of Providers For clinicians, ARFID must be viewed not only as an individual diagnosis but as a family-wide challenge. Effective care requires attention to both the clinical symptoms and the family dynamics that shape recovery. Parent Support: Educating caregivers that ARFID is not their fault, offering psychoeducation, and helping them reframe mealtime struggles as part of the disorder — not a parenting failure. Family-Based Interventions: Coaching families in structured meal support, communication strategies, and gradual exposure work so parents don’t feel powerless. Holistic Care: Involving therapists, dietitians, occupational therapists, and medical providers ensures that the family does not shoulder the weight of treatment alone. When families are validated, supported, and given practical tools, the entire household can begin to heal. Treatment is not only about expanding a child’s food repertoire but also about restoring peace, resilience, and connection at home. Moving Forward ARFID may begin with one individual, but its ripple effects are felt across the entire family system. By addressing both the psychological and relational dimensions, providers can help transform mealtimes from a source of conflict into an opportunity for healing and connection. For those who want to go deeper, we invite you to join our upcoming training on ARFID , where we will explore practical strategies for supporting both clients and their families.
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As a parent, noticing alarming behaviors around food or routines in your child can raise some important questions. You might be asking yourself, “Is this an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or something else entirely?” Understanding the signs and differences between these disorders is key to getting your child effective, timely treatment. In this blog, we’ll break down the overlap between OCD and eating disorders, what signs to watch for, and how to get professional help. If you're a parent wondering “Is my child’s eating disorder actually OCD?” or “OCD vs eating disorder in teens,” know that you’re not alone and you’re in the right place to find specialized care for your child. What Is OCD? Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition where unwanted thoughts (obsessions) cause anxiety, leading to repetitive behaviors (compulsions) intended to ease that anxiety. OCD can be focused on any subject. Common obsessions include contamination, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and harm, but sometimes, the content of obsessions can be focused on food, body image, or weight. What Is an Eating Disorder? Eating disorders , like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) involve disturbed eating behaviors and intense concerns about body weight or shape. These conditions go beyond dieting or “picky eating” and can become life-threatening without professional intervention. The Overlap: Why It Can Be Confusing OCD and eating disorders often share similar symptoms : Ritualistic eating (e.g., needing to eat foods in a certain order or at a certain time) Rigid rules about food (like only eating certain food groups or certain amounts of food) Excessive checking (like weighing food or body or repeated checking of expiration dates or thorough cooking) Avoidance behaviors ( like avoiding carbs, fats, or other food groups or avoiding places or objects that can trigger obsessions) Distress when routines are disrupted (either around mealtimes or exercise routines) So, How Can You Tell the Difference? Use the following chart to compare and contrast symptoms of OCD and eating disorders.
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