HAES Contributions
Lindo Bacon, PhD
formerly LindaI have retired from the fields of weight science and “Health at Every Size”.*
Below, I share some of my contributions to the HAES movement.
Not previously released
This web page provides links to work relevant to health and weight. They may not represent current perspective. More current contributions to the HAES movement can be found:

Watch The Body Manifesto Video SeriesSometimes it’s a life experience that rocks your world.
Louise Adams, M.A., Clinical Psychologist, Treat Yourself Well
Sometimes it’s a lecture. Sometimes it’s a teacher’s words.
And sometimes a video (or four) changes how you think forever.
Featured Resources
- The Body Manifesto Linda Bacon's inspiring vision of the path to a more just and compassionate world, where all bodies are respected.
- Fat Is Not the Problem—Fat Stigma Is “Health experts” are sending incorrect and destructive messages about the relationship between weight and wellness. Linda Bacon and Amee Severson call them out in this hard hitting piece in Scientific American, replete with links to verifying research.
- Bacon, L., & Aphramor, L. Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift This is the premiere article that has up-ended thinking about weight. Includes all the arguments that support a paradigm shift, meticulously referenced. In academic voice.
- The HAES Manifesto The Health at Every Size Manifesto, reproduced from Linda's groundbreaking book. Summarizes hot topics and the need for a paradigm shift. A must-have for everyone's library.
- Body Respect Book Introduction (co-authored with Lucy Aphramor) The book Body Respect is changing the weight discourse and has galvanized the body positive movement. Learn how and why in this engaging introduction.
- Health at Every Size Book Introduction This will inspire you. You can live in a body you love and eating can be fun and effortless... much more fun and effective than dieting! Welcome to Health at Every Size.
- Revisiting Health at Every Size® with Lindo Bacon, PhD, November 2020 Lindo revisits their first book, Health at Every Size, which was written over a decade ago, and expresses how they have personally and professionally evolved since that time.
Resources by Audience
- View self-help resources
- View resources for health care providers
- View resources for dietitians and foodies
- View resources for HAES advocates
- View resources for journalists
- View resources for parents, teachers and school administrators
- View resources for fitness workers
- View resources for politicians and policy makers
HAES Principles
The Professional Journey (co-authored with Lucy Aphramor)
This excerpt from Body Respect describes how health professionals can best educate, inspire and support clients.
The HAES Manifesto
The Health at Every Size Manifesto, reproduced from Linda's groundbreaking book. Summarizes hot topics and the need for a paradigm shift. A must-have for everyone's library.
The HAES Files: Put up your Dukes - How HAES Fought its Way to the ADA Platform
The long road to the 2011 American Dietetic Association's Annual Meeting (FNCE) debate between Dr. Linda Bacon advocating for a HAES approach and Dr. John Foreyt promoting the conventional anti-obesity approach.
The HAES Files: On the Fat Beat, the Health At Every Size Approach Deserves "Equal Weight"
The problem is not just that contrarian voices aren’t heard in articles about weight, it’s that few journalists recognize those voices even exist. Let's challenge journalists to challenge their assumptions and deliver the full story on weight.
The HAES Files: Obamacare's Misfire on Weight - New Workplace Provisions that Deserve a Pink Slip
Governmental policies and programs, such as certain provisions in the Affordable Care Act as well as anti-obesity campaigns, can help spread fat stigma and prejudice in the workplace resulting in harm to employees.
The HAES Files: De-Stigmatizing Our Workplaces - A Start
Dump worksite obesity prevention programs. Here's a step-by-step plan to challenge stigmatizing messages in your company, and propose criteria for more respectful work places.
The Contrarian Voice: Health at Any Size: Why Diets are Harmful and Counterproductive
Research refutes conventional views on weight and the value of prescriptions for dieting/weight loss; focus should be on health behaviors, not physical attributes.
The Body Manifesto
Linda Bacon's inspiring vision of the path to a more just and compassionate world, where all bodies are respected.
Stress Mess: How "Fighting Fat" Makes People Sick
Public health interventions promoting weight-loss fail to account for "social determinants" such as socioeconomic status and are not scientifically sound. The stress resulting from stigmatization in the name of health causes ill health.
Revisiting Health at Every Size® with Lindo Bacon, PhD, November 2020
Lindo revisits their first book, Health at Every Size, which was written over a decade ago, and expresses how they have personally and professionally evolved since that time.
People We Love: Linda Bacon And The Health At Every Size Movement
Linda Bacon gets real about her journey, what "converts" people to HAES perspective, and connections between the personal and the political, with special attention to gender.
On Hold with Atchka! and Dr. Linda Bacon: An Audio Interview
A little tentative and skeptical at first, Atchka asks some hard questions that eventually bring him on board with HAES.
Moving On: From Weight to What Matters
We lose out when we view life through a weight lens. It's not just misinformed, but damaging. Reconsider the evidence. Change your paradigm. Regain your self-trust and joy.
More Magazine: Fat? Who Cares! Why Weight Doesn’t Matter, an interview with Linda Bacon, Peter Jaret.
Bacon speaks out on how weight-loss efforts are statistically futile—and how you can boost your health big time without dropping a pound.
Health Care Providers: Providing Sensitive Care for People of All Sizes
Motivating good self-care through attention to health behaviors - and dropping the weight focus.
Health at Every Size book trailer, Providers Edition: podcast
Book trailer for Health at Every Size. Summarizes the book and provides practical strategies to help adopt a Health at Every Size approach in clinical practice.
Health at Every Size book trailer, For Individuals Wanting to Lose Weight: podcast
Book trailer for Health at Every Size. Discusses the problems of a weight-centered approach to health and the basic tenets of the new paradigm, Health at Every Size. Inspires.
Health at Every Size Book Introduction
This will inspire you. You can live in a body you love and eating can be fun and effortless... much more fun and effective than dieting! Welcome to Health at Every Size.
End the War on Obesity: Make Peace With Your Patients
(Requires free login.) This podcast challenges assumptions about weight and health and discusses the evidence showing a Health at Every Size approach is more effective than a weight-focused approach for clinical care.
Body Respect Book Introduction (co-authored with Lucy Aphramor)
The book Body Respect is changing the weight discourse and has galvanized the body positive movement. Learn how and why in this engaging introduction.
Bacon, L., & Aphramor, L. Weight Science: Evaluating the Evidence for a Paradigm Shift
This is the premiere article that has up-ended thinking about weight. Includes all the arguments that support a paradigm shift, meticulously referenced. In academic voice.
Eating / Dieting
We're Wired to Maintain a Healthy Weight
You can learn how to reset your weight regulation system and achieve your healthiest weight simply and enjoyably without thinking about calories or dieting.
UC Davis Nutritionist (Linda Bacon) Advises: Save Your Money on Diet Books
This podcast challenges the assumptions that diet and physical activity lead to long-term weight loss and suggests a focus on intuitive eating, enjoyable movement, and other self-care.
Trust Your Body: Forget About Dieting
Dieting is seductive, but it doesn't deliver on its promises. Learn why body trust is more successful.
The War on Obesity: A Battle Worth Fighting? Maintained Weight Loss
Let's face the facts: we don’t know of healthy methods that result in sustained weight loss. Consider the evidence.
The War on Obesity: A Battle Worth Fighting? Intuitive Eating
Attuned eating is more effective than dieting. Read why.
The Racist Roots of Fighting Obesity
Prescribing weight loss to black women is ineffective, damaging and ignores barriers to their health, write Lindo and Sabrina Strings, in this special edition of Scientific American.
The HAES Files: Hypocrisy of Obesity War Exposed - The HAES Peace Movement Makes Inroads
Description of the debate between Dr. Lindo Bacon and Dr. John Foreyt on the topic of size acceptance vs. the conventional weight reduction paradigm at the 2011 American Dietetic Association conference.
The HAES Files: Blackboard Bungle - Rethinking Nutrition Education
Contemporary nutrition education does more harm than good. Here's an analysis, and a prescription for change. Co-authored with Dr. Lucy Aphramor.
Me . . . As I'm Meant to be?
This heartfelt letter to a Washington Post journalist exposes the pain behind the drive to lose weight, and the hope and freedom that can come from dumping the diet mentality and trusting ourselves.
Letter to AND re proposed weight guidelines
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asked for response to their offensive weight recommendations. They got it! Bacon provides a convincing argument to discourage dieting.
Interview with Dr. Linda Bacon, The Keto Diet Podcast, by Leanne Vogel
“Linda Bacon, chatting with us about the process of beginning to accept your body, the reason dieting doesn’t work, how to deal with feelings of shame, and more.”
I Hurt Therefore I Eat-The Truth Behind Emotional Eating
Too many of us have come to view food as a blanket for our emotions, numbing them as we turn to food to provide the love and comfort we crave. But food doesn't "fix" feelings. Learn how to best take care of yourself.
Health At Every Size: "Obesity" is NOT a Health Crisis!
Dr. Linda Bacon joins Marlo on Blog Talk Radio to discuss the biggest myths about dieting, weight loss and "obesity." Groundbreaking research the diet industry does NOT want you to hear.
Fat Is Not the Problem—Fat Stigma Is
“Health experts” are sending incorrect and destructive messages about the relationship between weight and wellness. Linda Bacon and Amee Severson call them out in this hard hitting piece in Scientific American, replete with links to verifying research.
Eating Journal
Use this journal to monitor how hunger and satisfaction manifest in your body. (Description for use can be found in the book.)
Diets. Don't. Work. Body Trust Does.
Diets. Don’t. Work. Even when we call them a “lifestyle change.” For so, so many reasons. Linda explains why.
Cutting the Obesity Epidemic Down to Size
This article will inspire you to dump the guilt and shame often associated with holiday eating, let go of those New Year's diet resolutions, and discover a much more effective - and effortless - way to manage your weight.
Calorie Monitoring
Calorie monitoring won't help you to lose weight - and it may just backfire. Letting go of the food rules is much more effective.
A Message for Therapists on Compassionate Therapy for Weight Concerns
Resist the temptation to view weight loss attempts and dieting as self-care. Learn how to better support positive body image and self-care behaviors.
A Message for People Who Have Lost Weight
How are behaviors affect our weight is extremely individual, and whatever you did to lose weight may not be helpful for someone else. Learn how you can use your experience to help, not harm.
A Message for People Considering Their Next Diet
Maintaining a weight that is healthy for your body can be effortless.
A Message for Health Care Providers and Administrators and Staff of Obesity Prevention or Treatment Programs
You can better support good health by switching the focus from weight to health. Change the paradigm: Obesity treatment/prevention is harmful, but improved health behavior goals support people of all sizes.
Health Concerns / Diseases
Weight Loss Treatments: Pharmaceuticals
Weight loss supplements come with some pretty messy side effects and no long-term evidence of safety or efficacy. Read this before you invest (again).
Weight Loss Treatments: Bariatric Surgery
With more than 90 possible side effects including death, bariatric surgery is not the Holy Grail of weight loss. Learn what the "experts" aren't telling us. A must-read for people considering surgery.
Orthopedic surgeons: helping patients with joint problems
Joint pain? Prescribed movement is more effective medical care than prescribed weight loss for ALL people with orthopedic concerns.
Friends and Family: How You Can Best Support Me in Good Health
A letter that asks friends and family to support and love you as you are not as they wish you were.
Foreward to Yoga XXL by Ingrid Kollak
In this foreward to Ingrid Kollak's Yoga XXL: A Journey to Health for Bigger People, Dr. Linda Bacon shows that size is no barrier to enjoying great health and satisfying physical activity.
Fat Is Not the Problem—Fat Stigma Is
Published in Scientific American, this calls out "health experts” for sending incorrect and destructive messages about the relationship between weight and wellness.
Bacon, L. & Matz, J., Intuitive Eating for People with Diabetes: Enjoy your Food, Respect your Body
The Health at Every Size approach for Diabetes Management is introduced, including tips for switching from a "diet" mentality to intuitive eating. Make food enjoyment your goal, not your fear.
AMA Misfire: All That's Wrong With Medicalizing "Obesity"
Labeling obesity a disease pathologizes physical appearance rather than identifying illness. An excerpt from Linda's newsletter.
A Message for People Who Have Diseases Blamed on Their Weight
Many diseases get blamed on weight, with weight loss proposed as the solution. Here's another framing that will be much more helpful in healing.
A Message for People Considering Bariatric Surgery
Combine the fact that bariatric surgery is among the highest-paying surgical specialties with the vulnerability of desperate patients, and it's just a setup for disaster.
11 Reasons Your ‘Concern’ for Fat People’s Health Isn’t Helping Anyone
"I'm just concerned about their health." How many times have you heard this? Linda Bacon and Melissa Fabello help you understand what is really being said and why its not helpful.
Childhood Obesity/Weight Concerns
The HAES Files: Honey, I Can't Shrink the Kids - Why the Obamas Need a New Doctor
Michelle Obama: I'm with you in wanting to improve the health of children in the U.S. through improved nutrition and physical activity, but let's not do it on the backs of the fat kids or with misguided measures like BMI.
Letter to AND re proposed weight guidelines
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asked for response to their offensive weight recommendations. They got it! Bacon provides a convincing argument to discourage dieting.
Helping Kids Establish Nourishing Eating Habits
An excerpt from Health at Every Size: The Surprising Truth about Your Weight, this will help you instill a sense of agency for your kids, and steer you away from trying to control what they eat. They can take care of themselves! Starts halfway down pg 1.
A Message for School Administrators and Teachers
Anti-obesity campaigns, including BMI "report-cards," are damaging and ineffective. Learn how to best inspire good health habits for your students.
Resilience
We Must Choose Revolution Over Privilege and Complacency – Here’s How I’m Doing It
A behind-the-scenes description of the challenge in speaking truth to power in nutrition education, and a rally call for community building and revolution in hateful times.
The Resilient Practitioner: Strategies for Managing Resistance to Size Acceptance
Destabilizing the status quo of size acceptance can come with some uncomfortable consequences, but using the power of resilience can help advocates grow and become stronger.
the HAES® files: This is For the Fat Ambassadors, their Allies, and a Call Out to their Detractors (Well-Intentioned and Not)
Linda ends this inspiring and compassionate post with "final words to our fat ambassadors: Yes, You’re Fat. It’s Okay. Say It Loud. Or Quiet. Own It. You’re bigger than your detractors, in ways far more important than physical size."
The HAES Files: Notes to Myself - Finding Hope in Difficult Times
Dr. Linda Bacon reflects on her experience as a debate speaker at the 2011 American Dietetic Association's annual Conference. Provides hope and inspiration for managing resistance and developing resilience.
Profile of Perseverance: Dr. Linda Bacon
A candid interview with Dr. Linda Bacon. Discusses motivation, handling resistance, and resilience.
Body Trust Insights with Linda Bacon and Lucy Aphramor
Linda and Lucy get personal about our journey to Health at Every Size. Touches on self-acceptance, self-compassion, and resilience.
Weight Stigma
the HAES® files: There Is No Social Justice without Bodies
Being less likely to be hired or get promotions, being paid less, receiving less adequate medical treatment, being socially excluded, bullied and targeted in derogatory comments: these are the consequences of the "war against obesity".
Letter to AND re proposed weight guidelines
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics asked for response to their offensive weight recommendations. They got it! Bacon provides a convincing argument to discourage dieting.
For People Who Consider Size Acceptance Dangerous
Hounding people to lose weight is not just ineffective, it's damaging. People make better self-care choices when they start from body appreciation, not from a drive to change their body.
Final Words: For Health Professionals Resistant to Health at Every Size
Dropping a weight focus runs counter to much of what we're taught as health professionals. But here's why you should listen to the naysayers anyway.
Fat stigma - not fat - is the real enemy
Real harm is being done due to the focus on fat/weight loss/size as the prerequisite for health. Fat stigma is the real problem causing ill health.
Fat Is Not the Problem—Fat Stigma Is
“Health experts” are sending incorrect and destructive messages about the relationship between weight and wellness. Linda Bacon and Amee Severson call them out in this hard hitting piece in Scientific American, replete with links to verifying research.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Comments Provided on Wellness Programs
Evidence in support of ending weight discrimination in the workplace.
Ending Foodie Fat Bashing
Using obesity fears as a rallying call has damaging consequences. Foodies, invite fat people to the table so we can all advocate for good food.
Discrimination, Lies and Health at Every Size, Flaunt Performance Podcast
Linda Bacon talks to Flaunt Performance about Health at Every Size, research on health and weight, and discrimination.
Bread and Circus (Hold the Bread): Weight of the Nation Deserves an Imperial Thumbs Down
Cans HBO's documentary series, Weight of the Nation. The real enemy is the stigmatization of fat/weight. The solution? Change the focus to promoting good self-care for everyone, regardless of size.
Bacon's Testimony in Massachusetts' anti-discrimination law
Bacon's testimony in support of adding weight as a protected category in Massachusetts' anti-discrimination law.
A Message for People Committed to Food Justice and Sustainable Agriculture
There should be more Weight justice in the Food justice movement.
A Message for Legislators/Politicians on Obesity Treatment and Prevention Policies
Change the paradigm: Make health promotion your platform. Obesity treatment and prevention messaging is harmful.
"Everyone Knows Obesity is Hurting Us," But is the Fight Against Obesity the Problem?
Tune out the loud "everyone knows" claims about obesity, shape and diet and challenge the health "experts". It's our obsession over body fat that s a costly, crippling threat to health and well-being.
Thin Privilege
Reflections on Thin Privilege and Responsibility
Thinner people benefit from discrimination against larger people. This simple discussion helps readers understand responsible use of "thin privilege."
Reflections on Thin Privilege and Responsibility
In this chapter in the Fat Pedogogy Reader, Bacon, O'Reilly and Aphramor discuss how “thin privilege” is maintained and identify strategies through which those of us with thin privilege can make responsible use of privilege.
Reflections on Fat Acceptance: Lessons Learned from Privilege
Drawing on her personal experience and observations of internalized oppression and thin privilege, Linda Bacon identifies stumbling blocks to fat acceptance and strategies for personal empowerment and effecting change in others. Keynote talk, NAAFA.
Downloads and Tools
Wallet-sized card: Surprising Truths about Weight
Print this handy card to remind you of some surprising myths and truths about weight. A great present for the uninitiated!
Wallet-sized card: Live Well Pledge
Print this handy card to keep you inspired and mindful of self-care.
Reflections on Thin Privilege and Responsibility
In this chapter in the Fat Pedogogy Reader, Bacon, O'Reilly and Aphramor discuss how “thin privilege” is maintained and identify strategies through which those of us with thin privilege can make responsible use of privilege.
Live Well Pledge
A Health at Every Size classic: A pledge to read and sign and keep you inspired and on track.
Linda's Extended Biography
Learn more about Linda and what led her to the Health at Every Size® paradigm.
Health at Every Size Book Introduction
This will inspire you. You can live in a body you love and eating can be fun and effortless... much more fun and effective than dieting! Welcome to Health at Every Size.
Friends and Family: How You Can Best Support Me in Good Health
A letter that asks friends and family to support and love you as you are not as they wish you were.
Foreward to Yoga XXL by Ingrid Kollak
In this foreward to Ingrid Kollak's Yoga XXL: A Journey to Health for Bigger People, Dr. Linda Bacon shows that size is no barrier to enjoying great health and satisfying physical activity.
Eating Journal
Use this journal to monitor how hunger and satisfaction manifest in your body. (Description for use can be found in the book.)
Bookmark: Surprising Truths about Weight
Fast facts on Health at Every Size, formatted as a handy bookmark. Print on sturdy paper to always have some inspiration around. Makes a great gift.
Bookmark: Live Well Pledge
The Live Well Pledge formatted as a handy bookmark. Print on sturdy paper to always keep some inspiration in your books.
Body Respect Book Introduction (co-authored with Lucy Aphramor)
The book Body Respect is changing the weight discourse and has galvanized the body positive movement. Learn how and why in this engaging introduction.
Uncategorized
The War on Obesity: A Battle Worth Fighting? Maintained Weight Loss
Let's face the facts: we don’t know of healthy methods that result in sustained weight loss. Consider the evidence.
The War on Obesity: A Battle Worth Fighting? Intuitive Eating
Attuned eating is more effective than dieting. Read why.
The War on Obesity: A Battle Worth Fighting? Conflict of Interest Differences
Conflicts of interest mar research. Look behind the scenes of obesity research and see how industry influences researchers.
Imagine a world where all bodies are valued and all people are supported in compassionate self-care.
Join me in fostering a world where all bodies are celebrated
*Health at Every Size and HAES are registered trademarks of The Association for Size Diversity and Health and used with permission.