Our Approach to Care
The BALANCE program adopts a Health at Every Size (HAES) approach. Instead of focusing on weight loss, the HAES approach focuses on weight neutral outcomes. Our society’s preoccupation with weight loss and dieting have led to preoccupation with food, distorted body image, reduced self-esteem, eating disorders, weight stigmatization and discrimination. Therefore, rather than focusing on weight changes, the BALANCE program supports families as they make health choices in the area of physical activity, screen and sedentary time, sleep, emotion regulation and eating habits.
The HAES approach has been associated with statistically and clinically relevant improvements in blood pressure and blood lipids. It has also been shown to improve sustained health behaviours such as eating habits and activity levels as well as improved psychological outcomes such as self-esteem and body image.