ADA Position Paper on Weight Management

[jikeda at garnet.berkeley.edu]

The ADA Draft Position Paper on Weight Management
		An Opinion by Joanne Ikeda

	I have read this position paper over and over again
since I received it about a month ago.  Time is running out
and I am finally ready to articulate my professional
"reaction" to the contents.

	As many of you know, I have been a strong advocate of a
"health at every size, size acceptance" approach to health
education with large people.  It has been an uphill battle,
and after reading this position paper, I cannot deny that I
feel victorious.  The battle I was fighting was not for an
"all or nothing" end.  I was aiming for recognition of the
existence of this approach and the incorporation of elements
of the approach into the position paper.  I did not expect
it to be THE APPROACH since I know there are many RDs who
are not familiar with this approach, and some who are
familiar with it but who don't feel comfortable with it.

	I know those of you who know me, and know how
opinionated and determined I am, will be surprised that I am
willing to accept this position paper.  Well, don't be.
The truth of the matter is that I am amazed we did so well!
I really thought we were going to get the same old thing
with a few differences.  Well, this isn't the same old
thing, thank heavens!

	It was just a year ago that we wrote to ADA asking that
a size acceptance approach be included in this paper.  In my
opinion it has been included. Those of us who are advocates
of size acceptance have inalterably influenced our
professional association's position on "weight management."
Yes, there's still a way to go - but the road has been paved
by our efforts and we are on our way!


PS. Don't forget to attend the "Great Shape" session at the
ADA meeting next Monday, October 21st from l:30PM to 3PM
featuring Dayle Hayes, Wayne Miller, and Pat Lyons.  I'll be
moderating, and I'd love to see you there!

PPS. Yes, I have some specific comments on changes I would
like to see but haven't had time to summarize them in
writing.  One key point I would like to have included is a
call for the development of a definition of metabolic
fitness that could be used to assess people's fitness
irregardless of their size and shape.  A number of health
professionals have recommended that NIH develop the concept
of metabolic fitness.  We need to climb on that bandwagon.
(You all know me - I'll always have a bandwagon to stand
on!)  BEST WISHES...Joanne
Joanne P. Ikeda,MA,RD
Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Specialist
Department of Nutritional Sciences
University of California, Berkeley
CA 94720-3104

Phone (510)642-2790
FAX (510)642-0535
E-Mail: jikeda at garnet.berkeley.edu