Our Nutrition Approach

The work we do in nutrition counseling sessions, outreach programming, and health communication promotes a non-diet and weight-neutral approach using the Satter Eating Competence Model and Health At Every Size. 

Eating Competence: (Satter Eating Competence Model) 

Conventional nutrition education emphasizes control with eating. Messages that promote food rules to dictate what and how much to eat can be more harmful than helpful by increasing guilt, shame, and fear with eating. Alternatively, the Satter Eating Competence model emphasizes trust with eating, promotes enjoyment of food, and teaches people how to be reliable about getting enough to eat of enjoyable foods. Eating competence can be measured in four areas: eating attitudes, food acceptance, regulation of food intake, and eating context. 

Competent eaters are positive, flexible, and comfortable with eating a variety of foods. Research shows those who are eating competent have better diets, better physical self- acceptance, stable body weights, are more active, sleep longer and better, and have better medical profiles and lab tests (Satter, 2007). 

Are YOU a competent eater? 

• Do you take time to have regular meals and snacks and pay attention while you eat?
• Do you feel good about food and eating and comfortable with your enjoyment of food?
• Do you eat a variety of food and enjoy learning to eat new foods? 

• Do you trust yourself to eat enough for you? 

   

Weight-Inclusive: (Health at Every Size®)

Weight-normative messages focus on weight and weight loss as a primary measure for health. This weight-centered approach can disrupt eating patterns and cause harmful, adverse physical and psychological effects including weight cycling, body dissatisfaction, weight-based stigmatization, and increased risk of eating disorder behaviors. 

The weight-neutral approach recognizes that normal human bodies come in a wide range of weights and sizes. Using this health-centered approach contends that every individual can achieve health and well-being independent of weight (Tylka, 2014). This paradigm supports individuals in sustainable self-care behaviors that enhance health and support both individual and community well-being. 

References: 

Satter, E. (2007). Eating competence: Definition and evidence for the Satter Eating Competence Model. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 39, S142-S153. 

Tylka, T. L., et al. (2014). The Weight-Inclusive versus Weight-Normative Approach to Health: Evaluating the Evidence for Prioritizing Well-Being over Weight Loss. Journal of Obesity. doi: 10.1155/2014/983495. 

Resources: 

Ellyn Satter Institute: ellynsatterinstitute.org Association for Size Diversity and Health: sizediversityandhealth.org