Why in the world are so many people overweight? Obesity has become a problem in most developed countries of the world and has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.
This is alarming because of the undisputed relationship between excess weight and medical disorders such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood lipids (fat), sleep disorders, infertility, joint conditions, cancer, and many others.
We know that the reason most of us gain weight is because we are eating more calories than our bodies need and we are storing the excess calories as fat.
There is little doubt about this sequence of events.
What is not so clear however is the troubling question as to "why" we overeat.
There are indeed lifestyle habits and cultural influences which contribute to the national obesity epidemic, but, is there something else going on that we're missing? According to the American Psychiatric Association often overlooked and underrated contributors to obesity are underlying depression and other emotional disorders.
Disordered thinking about life in general and food consumption in specific often results in: • "mindless" eating and constant munching in an attempt to reduce stress (emotional or comfort eating) • feelings of hopelessness about one's ability to lose weight • inability to make a decision to confront obesity • feeling overwhelmed by the choices available for weight management • disproportionate personal "scolding" when one deviates from the changes decided upon for losing weight • discouragement and feelings of failure It is important that the relationship between emotional disorders and obesity be considered when one is seeking medical help for weight loss.
The health care provider can do basic screening to determine whether the emotional condition is playing a part.
If disordered thinking is indeed a significant factor, it will need to be addressed before effective and long-lasting weight reduction approaches are practical.
An ongoing pattern of excessive weight may eventually affect ones self-esteem and feeling of satisfaction with appearance.
This may in turn lead to feelings of depression and anxiety which can cause overeating in an attempt to "soothe the savage beast within".
It is clear that this pattern may easily develop into a self-perpetuating cycle of depression=overeating=obesity=depression.
If you, or someone you love, is in a seemingly endless battle with weight management speak to the health care provider.
A few simple screening tests may uncover depression which needs to be dealt with.
Likewise, if you are under the care of a psychiatrist or psychologist, ask that provider to recommend resources where one may get information about sound dietary principles.
Such a pre-emptive approach may well lead to a lifetime of healthy weight management.