A Personal Perspective On The History of ISAA By Lynda Finn The International Size Acceptance Association has come a long way since Allen Steadham, appalled at the discrimination suffered by bigger people, decided five years ago to do something to change things. It has been a spectacularly successful project in affecting for good, the lives of individuals who formerly had little hope of self-esteem. Over the past years, ISAA members have taken on drug companies, weight-loss clinics, spoken on countless talks shows and given dozens of interviews to promote the concept of health and happiness at any size. The re-education of children and young adults who are already compromising their health by dieting is a vital component of ISAA. Each time size acceptance hits the media, more people hear the life-saving message and realize they are NOT the disgusting failures the diet and weight-loss companies claim them to be. Life saving? Certainly. Whilst propaganda says obesity is unhealthy, research shows quite clearly that people who eat well and exercise are healthier, even at a higher weight, than their thinner, dieting counterparts. Yo-yo dieting can lead to vital organ damage and many medical sources now believe this and the stress of living with size-prejudice is what leads to health problems. There is no dispute at all that dieting and weight-loss surgery can be fatal. So what is size acceptance and how does the ISAA promulgate the message? Size acceptance is a means of living happily and healthily with the way you are RIGHT NOW and although the philosophy applies mainly to larger people, the ISAA goals are relevant for people of all sizes. ISAA promotes the size acceptance concept by: accepting that the individual is more than simply a set of body measurements but a valued and precious person in their own right whatever size that happens to be using visible, lawful methods of activism in order to change bad practices and prejudice encouraging people to reach for good health via a menu of fresh, non-processed foods encouraging sedentary people to put more activity into their lives as a means of improving circulation, muscle tone and general health giving factual information on the dangers of weight loss methods promoting positive body image and self esteem in schools and colleges What ISAA is not: It is NOT the promotion of obesity (we leave that to the diet companies) It is NOT saying it's OK to be unhealthy With active branches in several areas and affiliates in many countries across the world ISAA has become a beacon and rallying point for those who want to work for change. The website is a vehicle for petitions and disaster relief efforts and ISAA was instrumental in the fight to return Anamarie Martinez-Regino, (who suffers from a medical syndrome leading to excess growth) was snatched from her family by the authorities who said she was too fat. In addition, the successful e-zine 'Without Measure' now has a loyal readership. Society in general may not yet be convinced of the ISAA 'fat and fit' message, (diet companies have, after all, billion dollar budgets and those who know they lie, have nothing) but for those who have listened, the victory has been total. Five years ago, ISAA was a small organization big with dreams. Now those dreams are coming true for the hundreds, perhaps thousands of people who have heard and taken on board the message of hope.