Body Image Can Affect Weight Loss

If it’s the inside of a person that matters, then why should we concern ourselves so much about body image? If we just focus on diet and exercise we’ll lose the weight and look and feel great. Right?

Not necessarily. Body image is our subjective belief about how we look to others. It doesn’t register on a scale and is not reflected by a clothing size. It isn’t dependant on the BMI index.

Body image originates in our brain and is affected by so many factors, and oddly enough research is finding that while we assume the body we see in the mirror  affects our brain’s perception of how we look, paradoxically it’s mostly the other way around. Our brain’s perception affects the image we see in the mirror.

A negative body image can create stress, depression and a feeling of hopelessness. In return those things make it harder for us to make healthy lifestyle choices when it comes to diet, rest and exercise.

So losing weight is a partnership between your body and mind and they need to be in synch in order for you to be the healthiest you possible.

For more on how you can improve your body image here is an interesting article on PrecisionNutrition.com.

The Cost Of Obesity

A good study on the cost of obesity and the reason bariatric surgery should be funded everywhere. (Click on quote to read the full article.)

Bariatric surgery is not only cost-effective for treating people who are severely obese, but also for those who are mildly obese, according to a new study.

~Washington University School of Medicine

Labelling Obesity A Disease

The aim of labelling addiction of any kind a disease is to minimize the social stigma and make it easier for people to seek and receive medical help. Labelling obesity as a disease serves the same function; regardless of whether the obesity is part of addicted eating or not. There are certainly cases when obesity is caused by other syndromes and diseases, or by medications taken for other health issues, but these cases do not reflect a significant percentage of the obese population.

Social Support Equals Long Term Success

Researchers are still wrestling with how to help people keep weight off after group treatment ends. Enlisting family and friends in the effort may help, research suggests. According to one study, participants who enrolled in a weight-loss program with friends did a better job of keeping their weight off. In addition to teaming up with friends, these enrollees were given social support in addition to standard treatment. Two-thirds of those who enrolled with friends had kept their weight off six months after the meetings ended. In contrast, only a quarter of those who attended on their own had achieved that same success.

~ American Psychological Association