The sun is shining, the birds are singing and I've got a free hour so today you're getting a bumper number of posts from the Eat THINK and Be Merry blog.
Psychologists have been polled to find out what they consider to be the most significant obstacle to weight loss and, surprise surprise, they came up with emotional eating at the top of the list. Which begs the question - why do people continue to focus on the symptom (the excess weight) and not the causes (emotional eating etc.) Have a read.
Emotions Cited As Top Obstacle to Successful
Weight Loss in Poll of Psychologists
When it comes to losing weight, a popular New Year's
resolution for many, people often focus on eating less and exercising more. But
results of a new survey of psychologists suggest dieters should pay attention
to the role emotions play in weight gain and loss if they hope to succeed.
The survey, conducted by the Consumer Reports
National Research
Center, asked more than
1,300 licensed psychologists how they dealt with clients' weight and weight
loss challenges. When asked which strategies were essential to losing weight
and keeping it off, psychologists cited "understanding and managing the
behaviors and emotions related to weight management" as essential for
addressing weight loss with their clients (44 percent). Survey respondents also
cited "emotional eating" (43 percent) as a barrier to weight loss,
and included "maintaining a regular exercise schedule" (43 percent)
and "making proper food choices in general" (28 percent) as keys to
shedding pounds. In general, gaining self-control over behaviors and emotions
related to eating were both key, indicating that the two go together.
Ninety-two percent of the 306 respondents who provide weight
loss treatment reported helping a client "address underlying emotional
issues related to weight gain." More than 70 percent identified cognitive
therapy, problem-solving and mindfulness as "excellent" or
"good" weight loss strategies. In addition, motivational strategies,
keeping behavioral records and goal-setting were also important in helping clients
to lose weight and keep it off, according to survey results. Cognitive therapy
helps people identify and address negative thoughts and emotions that can lead
to unhealthy behaviors. Mindfulness allows thoughts and emotions to come and go
without judging them, and instead concentrate on being aware of the moment. The
survey results will be reported in the February 2013 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine® and
online at ConsumerReports.org.*
"Anyone who has ever tried to lose a few pounds and keep
them off knows that doing so isn't easy. The good news is that research and
clinical experience have shown that, in addition to behavioral approaches,
cognitive behavioral therapy that targets emotional barriers helps people lose
weight," said Norman B. Anderson, PhD, chief executive officer of the
American Psychological Association.
Consumer Reports surveyed 1,328 licensed psychologists who
provide direct patient care in September 2012 about their work and professional
opinions regarding weight loss. The online poll was designed by the Consumer Reports National
Research Center
in partnership with experts provided by the American Psychological Association.
Survey participants were randomly selected from the American Psychological
Association's membership file. The margin of error was +/- 3 percentage points
at the 95 percent confidence level. A total of 55 percent of the sample was
female, and the median age was 59 years old.
"Although it is generally accepted that weight problems
are most often caused by a combination of biological, emotional, behavioral and
environmental issues, these new results show the key role of stress and
emotional regulation in losing weight. Therefore, the best weight loss tactics
should integrate strategies to address emotion and behavior as well as lifestyle
approaches to exercise and making healthy eating choices," said Anderson.
Psychologists help people identify emotional triggers that
affect their eating and exercise behaviors, and develop strategies and
problem-solving skills to make healthy choices.
APA
Yes, I know, I should be working on the last draft of the e-course - but this is what's called a diversionary tactic. The other day I actually colour-coded the books in my office. Didn't take anywhere near as long as I had hoped. But now I'm also going to arrange them by size - should use up another 10 minutes!
