Can You Be Healthy at Any Size?

Health at Every Size: Empowering or Dangerous?

When I first came across the term Health at Every Size (HAES) years ago, I didn’t really know what it meant. I wasn’t against it, nor was I sold on it—I just had a neutral stance.

On the surface, it sounded like it could be a positive message: promoting respect for people of all sizes, challenging toxic beauty standards, and pushing back against fat-shaming. But at the time, I didn’t know where it stood or how it applied to real health outcomes—and I was curious to learn more and understand whether it really meant what it sounded like or if there was more nuance behind it.

Recently, while going through some of my old podcast episodes, I reheard a powerful conversation I had back in 2022 with Jordan Syatt. His perspective made me pause and rethink how I approach this topic today.

What We See (Or Don’t) as People Age

Jordan brought up a point that really hit home:

“How many people have you seen in their 80s, 90s, or even 100s who are morbidly obese? Probably none. Most people who make it to an old age are actually pretty lean—even if they were heavier earlier in life, they often had to lose weight to stay healthy or they wouldn’t have survived.”

When you stop and think about it, it’s true. No matter where I’ve lived—from London to Vermont to Tokyo—I don’t recall seeing very overweight elderly people. It’s not about picking on anyone; it’s about acknowledging a simple, uncomfortable reality: carrying significant excess fat long-term is associated with a much higher risk of dying earlier from diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

This got me thinking more deeply about the origins of the HAES movement itself—and how its message has shifted over time.

HAES: Good Intentions That Went Off-Track

It’s important to understand the original goal of Health at Every Size. At its core, it started as a movement to reduce weight stigma and encourage realistic body standards—things I absolutely support. No one should feel worthless because of their weight. But, as Jordan points out in the episode, the HAES message has morphed in some circles into an ideology that outright denies the health risks of obesity.

“You cannot be healthy at any size. That doesn’t exist,” Jordan said bluntly.

And he’s right—because if carrying excess weight didn’t increase risk, we wouldn’t see stark differences in outcomes, like during the COVID-19 pandemic, where higher body fat was a major risk factor for severe illness and death.

This naturally raises an uncomfortable question about how today’s messaging might be judged in the future.

What About the Future?

Jordan also shared a thought that stuck with me long after I first recorded our conversation. He predicted that future generations—our kids and grandkids—will look back on social media posts that skewed the original Health at Every Size message, promoting the idea you can literally be healthy at any size, the same way we look back on old cigarette ads claiming smoking was good for your nerves. They’ll wonder how we could ignore the clear health consequences.

Reflecting on that now, I don’t think it’s fearmongering; it’s an uncomfortable but necessary conversation. The data backs it up: obesity increases the risk of early death from a host of conditions. Acceptance and kindness are critical—but so is honesty about health risks.

So, what does that mean for you right now?

How This Applies to You

The takeaway isn’t that everyone needs to chase the lowest possible body fat percentage, or that you should be obsessed with the scale. But if your goal is to feel better, live longer, and stack the odds in your favour, aiming for a healthy weight through sustainable habits is a powerful move. As a coach, I’ve seen clients of all shapes and sizes transform not just their bodies, but their energy, mood, and quality of life.

Want to Take Control of Your Health?

If you’re ready to start making sustainable changes—without extremes or fads—check out my free 14-Day Fat Loss Kickstarter by clicking here.

It’s designed to give you simple, actionable steps to move towards a healthier, stronger you.

Speak soon,

Leo