Effects of health at every size® interventions on health-related outcomes of people with overweight and obesity: a systematic review

Abstract

Context: The growing use of interventions based on the Health at Every Size® (HAES®) in obesity management.

Objective: This study aimed to summarize the health-related effects of HAES®-based interventions on people with overweight and obesity.

Data sources: MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library, LILACS, Google Scholar, OpenGrey and Grey Literature Report.

Study selection: A systematic review of studies published until January 2017 reporting on HAES®-based randomized and non-randomized controlled trials in people with overweight and/or obesity.

Data extraction: Fourteen papers met the inclusion criteria. The assessed studies included the following tests: blood profile, blood pressure, anthropometry, eating behaviour, energy intake, diet quality, psychological and qualitative evaluations.

Results: The HAES® interventions benefited both the psychological and physical activity outcomes, besides promoting behavioural and qualitative changes in eating habits. On the other hand, the results regarding cardiovascular responses, body-image perception and total energy intake were inconsistent.

Conclusions: Despite improving the cardiovascular status, eating behaviours, quality of life and psychological well-being in participants, other large long-term clinical trials should be performed to establish the effectiveness of HAES®-based interventions in improving health for people with overweight and obesity. PROSPERO registration 2017: CRD42017054857.

Keywords: Lifestyle change; nutritional intervention; physical activity; weight-neutral approach.