Dietitian Course: Size Acceptance: A Discussion About Health At Any Size

SIZE ACCEPTANCE: A DISCUSSION ABOUT HEALTH AT ANY SIZE

Registered Dietitians (RDs) have learned about the negative effects of being overweight or obese, and we are taught how to counsel clients on weight loss. Does every patient or client with a body mass index (BMI) above 26 need to lose weight? It is well known that athletes often have a high BMI but are very healthy and fit. What about patients who have a low BMI? How do RDs best help these patients? Weight and BMI are not independent indicators of health, and we as RDs need to recognize how our presumptions regarding weight can negatively influence the effectiveness of our nutrition counseling. This webinar will review size acceptance philosophies and provide support for why size acceptance should be promoted and utilized in practice. Aspects of Health at Every Size, weight stigma, and weight bias will be discussed. Size acceptance approaches will be examined to explore how to successfully apply these methods to improve client care.

Upon successful completion of this one-hour course, the participant should be able to:

Define size acceptance, along with related terms such as Health at Every Size?, weight stigma, and weight bias.

Describe the benefits of size acceptance philosophies.

Utilize a size acceptance mindset in nutrition education & counseling.

Explain the relationship between size acceptance and innate eating.

Live Webinar Date: Oct 02, 2025 (03:00 PM - 04:00 PM Eastern Time) (US and Canada)

Expiration Date: Sep 10, 2026

Performance Indicators/Learning Objectives: 1.7.3, 5.1.6, 10.6.4, 11.3.1

Target Audience: RDs, DTRs, Health Professionals

Number of Credits: 1.0

Level(s): 1, 2

Total Cost: 1 Site Credit

About the Presenter: Julie Brake, MS, RDN, LD

Julie Brake is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Licensed by the State of Georgia, specializing in family nutrition, sports nutrition, and prevention and treatment of disordered eating. She has also counseled clients for weight management and various nutritional concerns. She received both her Bachelor’s degree and her Master’s degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida.

Julie has been a private practice dietitian since 2005 and has worked with families and kids with eating issues since 2002. She is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as well as the Georgia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She is also a member of the Sports and Human Performance Nutrition (SPHN) Dietetic Practice Group; the Behavioral Health Nutrition (BHN) DPG; and the Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE) DPG; as well as the International Federation of Eating Disorder Dietitians (IFEDD).She has presented several webinars for Dietitian Central as a speaker since 2017. Her private practice is currently located in Marietta, GA. Julie participates in networking groups in metro Atlanta with dietitians and other professionals. She has provided presentations to professionals as well as to businesses and schools. She also writes nutrition articles and tips as opportunities arise.

Julie enjoys helping others find a healthy balance with eating attitudes and behaviors. She has experience with various approaches and it is her pleasure to work closely with other counselors and professionals to change people’s lives.