Towards Size Inclusive Health Promotion

Health promotion aims to create environments that builds all peoples capacity for health and well-being. However, traditional health promotion initiatives around "healthy eating" and "active living" has unintentionally contributed to weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating in many communities.

For the past two years, the Health Promotion team at Better Health Network has advocated for a size-inclusive approach to health promotion—one that celebrates the diverse ways people care for their health and well-being. Research shows that individuals are more likely to engage in health-promoting behaviours, such as eating nourishing foods and movement, when it stems from self-compassion rather than shame or judgment. Equally important is ensuring safe, inclusive environments for everyone, regardless of body size or shape or other intersecting identities such as ethnicity, gender, or ability.

To explore how a size-inclusive approach can be effectively integrated into health promotion, Better Health Network consulted with 64 individuals in larger bodies, along with key experts: Lisa Brassington (lived experience consultant), Dr. Zali Yager (The Embrace Collective), and Dr. Fiona Willer (Health, Not Diets). Together, they co-developed the resource “Towards Size Inclusive Health Promotion.”

This resource is designed to raise awareness and provide practical recommendations for size-inclusive initiatives related to food and movement, including:

• Recognizing the diversity of food cultures and practices,
• Supporting age-appropriate food programs in early childhood and school settings, and
• Actively creating movement environments that are safe, welcoming, and accessible to people of all body sizes, shapes, genders, ages, races, and abilities.

Additionally, the resource offers guidance for developing health promotion strategies that avoid contributing to weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating, while promoting a broader consideration of health equity across intersecting identities.

Since its release in June 2023, “Towards Size Inclusive Health Promotion” has been embraced by community health organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

In addition to the resource's wide reach, the Health Promotion team has delivered nine capacity-building workshops, engaging around 350 health promotion professionals. The team was also invited to speak at ten conferences and forums, including three expert panels, reaching a further 300 professionals. The professional development videos developed alongside this initiative have also garnered over 1,000 views.

In April 2024, we launched a bi-monthly Community of Practice to support health promotion professionals in implementing inclusive strategies. This community now includes 32 organisations and continues to grow.

For Better Health Network, this work is only the beginning. In December 2023, we initiated the “Towards Size Inclusive Healthcare” project, further committing to expanding the awareness of weight stigma and ensuring health promotion and healthcare is approached with inclusivity at its core.

Together, by broadening our understanding of size inclusivity and removing barriers, we can build environments that work towards equitable access to health-promoting services for all.