Our principles:

1. All people, regardless of their weight, body shape, and size, deserve equitable medical treatment and the right to pursue health.
2. Weight bias, which has its roots in the societal idealization of thinness, is prevalent in the healthcare system and negatively affects all patients, especially those in larger bodies. Weight bias is also historically tied to racial oppression, and disproportionately impacts marginalized populations.
3. BMI is a flawed measure of body fat, and body fat is a flawed measure of health – neither should be used as the sole proxy for an individual’s health. Health and wellness are multidimensional, influenced by social determinants, and can look different for different people.
4. Healthcare providers should acknowledge that diets can lead to, or worsen, disordered eating and/or eating disorders. They should consider these risks before recommending dietary restriction of any form, and avoid prescribing diets with a goal of weight loss.
5. Eating disorders are serious, complex, and often undertreated psychiatric illnesses that can occur in people of all identities. This includes, but is not limited to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, weight, and body shape. A “normal” or “overweight” BMI does not preclude any individual from developing medical or psychological complications related to their eating disorder.