Helping clients to reduce their weight permanently is notoriously difficult. Traditional weight focused approaches maintain that weight loss is possible for most people in the long term, and that weight loss will lead to similar health outcomes seen in those people who have never struggled with their weight. On the contrary, the vast majority of dieters regain lost weight, and often more so, following lifestyle modification regimes. Furthermore, many dieters develop disordered relationships with food and exercise following such interventions. Low self-esteem and a sense of hopelessness are frequently reported by chronic dieters as they experience repeated cycles of weight loss and regain. Body shame and withdrawal from life activities are common responses to being dissatisfied with one's weight and shape.  

The non-diet approach has been developed in response to such difficulties, and is increasingly being incorporated into clinical practice. Several randomised controlled trials have been conducted using the non-diet approach, with promising results. Importantly, the non-diet approach appears to help support people to build lasting health behaviours without the accompanying psychological disturbances observed in weight focussed approaches. This workshop introduces participants to the five core principles of the non-dieting approach to weight management which are self-compassion, mindful eating and letting go of food rules, body respect, joyful movement and non-diet nutrition. It examines the psychological harm which can come from weight focussed approaches and, through small group exercises, role plays and whole-group discussion, explores applications of the non-diet approach in clinical practice. 

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants should understand the:

Weight Inclusive Practice for Medical Professionals

Both the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) now call for a 'health gain' approach rather than a 'weight loss' approach for people with a BMI greater than 30kg/m2.  Their recent position statements outline the caustic effects of weight bias and stigma in medical encounters and the low likelihood of sustained behavioural weight loss for the majority of patients.  Weight inclusive practice involves making medical encounters welcoming for people of all shapes and sizes, understanding how stigma and bias may affect medical practice and the behaviour of larger-bodied clients, and formulating weight-neutral management and treatment plans.

This one-day, live, online course facilitated by Dr Fiona Willer (AdvAPD, PhD) will strengthen your understanding of weight inclusive practice, including the Health at Every Size (HAES) Principles, weight science, weight stigma and the non-diet approach. Using a participatory model, attendees will identify areas of concern in their own practice setting and develop strategies to move towards weight inclusivity, weight neutral practice and a 'body safe' environment for patients, staff and colleagues.

Upcoming Online Workshops in 2022