What is PCOS:
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects many women worldwide. Traditionally, healthcare providers have approached PCOS management with a primary focus on weight loss. However, an emerging perspective advocates for weight-neutral care, shifting the emphasis to overall well-being and empowering individuals to make positive lifestyle choices irrespective of their body size. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of offering weight-neutral care for PCOS, highlighting the expertise of a Health at Every Size (HAES) dietitian.
Understanding Weight-Neutral Care:
Weight-neutral care acknowledges that health and well-being are multifaceted and cannot be solely determined by a number on the scale. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of adopting a compassionate and comprehensive approach that considers physical, mental, and emotional aspects of an individual’s health. Traditional PCOS treatment focusing on weight loss may worsen progression of the disorder by increasing stress hormones in the body that further worsen androgen levels (as well as worsen body image and result in disordered eating). For individuals with PCOS wanting to work from a weight-neutral lens, HAES dietitians will focus on lifestyle factors and behaviors to manage symptoms, promote hormonal balance, and improve overall quality of life, rather than solely focusing on weight loss.
The Role of a Health at Every Size Dietitian:
A Health at Every Size (HAES) dietitian is a trained professional who embraces a weight-neutral and inclusive approach to healthcare. Their expertise lies in understanding the complex relationship between PCOS and various lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and sleep. By working collaboratively with individuals with PCOS, HAES dietitians can help create personalized strategies that prioritize self-care, body acceptance, and well-being, while addressing specific PCOS symptoms and concerns.
Key Principles of Weight-Neutral Care for PCOS:
- Individualized Approach: Recognizing that each person’s experience with PCOS is unique, a weight-neutral approach tailors interventions based on an individual’s needs, preferences, and health goals. It considers factors such as health, mental well-being, and personal values.
- Promoting Health Behaviors: Instead of focusing on restrictive diets or weight loss, weight-neutral care encourages adopting sustainable, nourishing behaviors that support overall health and symptom management. This may involve improving dietary patterns, incorporating enjoyable physical activities, and cultivating positive body image and self-care practices.
- Hormonal Balance: focuses on interventions that promote hormonal balance, such as regulating blood sugar through an all foods fit approach, educating on how different food groups support endocrine function, and healing relationships with food to decrease stress levels. (Optional: This holistic approach helps regulate menstrual cycles, manage insulin resistance, and reduce androgen levels.)
- Mental Health Support: PCOS can significantly impact mental well-being, and weight-neutral care recognizes the importance of addressing psychological concerns. HAES dietitians can collaborate with mental health professionals to provide support, resources, and coping strategies to individuals experiencing stress, anxiety, or body image issues related to PCOS.
How we can help:
By working with a Health at Every Size dietitian at Nutrition Braved, individuals with PCOS can receive personalized support and guidance in managing symptoms, optimizing hormonal balance, and cultivating positive lifestyle behaviors. Through weight-neutral care, we can empower individuals with PCOS to lead fulfilling lives centered around self-acceptance, body positivity, and overall wellness.
Our dietitian Grace Stokes, specializes in the treatment of PCOS from a weight-neutral lens. Please contact us if you would like to learn more about this care or get scheduled with her.
