November Question 1:
Based on the results of the studies conducted in these articles, do you think you are more inclined to use the HAES or more traditional goal-oriented approach with your future clients? Why?
posted by ee.spenner @ 12:51 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
My decision to use an HAES approach with future clients isn't necessary based on the studies conducted in the article, but more from what I believe would be more effective based off working with past weight management clients (and seeing friends/family struggle with weight management). I would definately be more inclined to use the HAES approach with weight management clients because I feel the long term success rate for weight management would be significantly higher. Hopefully more studies will be conducted in the future regarding this method in order to provide evidence of it's potential with weight management success rates.
As a future dietetic professional, I definitely would be more inclined to use the HAES approach with my clients; however, my decision to do so would not be based off of these research findings. Today, so many people are focused on weight and their physical appearance that they end up setting unrealistic size expectations for themselves and practically kill themselves while striving to obtain these expectations. I see and hear about it everyday from friends, family members, peers, coworkers etc. Eating healthy gets a bad reputation and often times individuals feel that these foods have no flavor and lack variety. In the end, it all comes down to moderation and without actually using the word, this is what the HAES approach seems to be all about.
After looking at the article I would not be able to determine which approach I would use. Having seen this research about the HAES program, I am aware of a new approach to weight loss and would take this approach into consideration after interview a pt or client when making my recommendations for them. Like most everything in dietetics I still believe that every thing is very individualized and without knowing the patient or client it would be to hard to determine the most beneficial approach.
I think I would use a combination of the traditional approach and HAES regardless of what studies show. Some people work better with numbers as goals, some clearly don't. I don't think its the best idea to completely follow one or the other, but to adapt to your clients and work with what's best for them. I definitely see the benefit of the HAES approach, even if this study didn't show it, so I certainly wouldn't disregard it just because of these results.
Shelby, I definitely agree with you in the sense that every patient is different and so one approach would definitely not be beneficial for every client. I think that learning about the HAES approach is beneficial to us as future dietitians because we, undoubtedly, are going to encounter clients who would respond well to this approach. I think it would be interesting to take this study a few steps further, using the approach based on different personality traits and/or level of obesity.
The HAES approach is definitely compelling. I think it might be useful to start with the HAES approach and then, once a client has had some measurable success with making changes and indicates comfort with the changes, turn it up a notch by introducing some of the more conventional goals, like calorie-counting and types/timing of physical activity. Without question I would be open to using the HAES approach, but I would consider my client very carefully and try to determine its appropriateness first. I'm inclined to think that a combination of both approached could be very effective. I am interested to see if there will be further study done in this area.
Rachel,
I completely agree. The best approach is ultimately the one that works and that may mean a combination of approaches is best. Assessment of the client's personality is key, then a determination of what approach or approaches might work best for them.
Well, I think that both have the potential to work, but it seems that (based on these two articles) goal setting is more effective. The supplemental article showed in their study that when people set goals (especially unrealistic goals) that they ended up losing the weight. It showed that actually the more unrealistic the goal, the more weight they lost. So, although HAES will work for many clients, the supplemental article's results reflect that goal-setting seems to be more effective. So, I would probably use a combination of the two with my clients. I would help them set a goal and then use some of the HAES approach to help them achieve that goal.
Shelby,
I agree that each client is different and it just depends on what their personality is and how they respond to weight management. Overall, the decision should be made based on the type of client that is being attended to.
I think the best possible result would come from using both approaches in combination. The HAES approach aims to teach general healthy behaviors, and I think it is important for anyone trying to lose weight or improve their health to do so in an appropriate manner. We have all heard about all the crash diets out there that make people lose 20 pounds in two weeks, but we all also know that there is nothing healthy about these diets that focus only on the numbers on the scale decreasing. However, I do think some people are more motivated by having number related goals for themselves. Therefore, I think that it is absolutely necessary to teach the HAES principles to all clients, and if certain individual clients express their desire to have numbers be part of their goals, then I think that it is perfectly acceptable to incorporate the traditional approaches with those clients as well.
I think that this is a great strategy to use with clients because it focuses on a wide variety of things; not just body weight. People often try to aim for a body size or shape that they will never be able to obtain. With overall health as the goal, such as better serum cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, and more energy and strength, I feel that clients are more likely to be successful. They will have many goals that they are reaching, not just one. Most importantly, this approach supports the underlying idea of nutrition and dietetics; being healthy, not being physically appealing to everyone else!
Melissa -
I think you're absolutely right. Maybe it would be effective to combine goal-setting with the HAES and SS strategies. Individuals could set goals such as having optimal serum cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lower blood pressure, and more energy and strength (although the last two are a bit hard to measure objectively). Having these health goals may give them motivation to keep going.
This is Steph Hyett
Like Jenn, even before reading this article and seeing the proof in the study I would be more likely to use the HAES approach instead of dealing solely with numbers. The main goal of losing weight is to have the person get healthy. The first way to do this is to change habits, and the weight isn't going to come off without changing habits. I really like this idea of focusing on lifestyle changes instead of weight loss. It is a long term solution, not a quick fix. Our guest speaker on Monday mentioned they use this approach for overweight children since they are sensitive about their weight, and I would recommend using this for all people, regardless of age.
Alison, I would agree that a combination of the two would work best. If a person likes to set goals that they can actually measure (like weight loss) the traditional method would work. However, they still need to build confidence and change their lifestyle so the HAES approach would also work here. Good idea!
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