Weight Concerns

Problems with eating and weight are endemic and It is estimated that more than 2 out of 3 U.S. adults are overweight or obese. 

What you eat as well as how and why you eat is affected by many factors including your activity level, overall health, body chemistry, biological makeup and appetite, family training, friends, cultural issues and your psychological makeup.  However, in the end, being overweight is the result of taking in more calories from food than you need to sustain life and physical activity. 

"Overweight" and "obesity"

The term "overweight" refers to an excessive amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat, and water. The term "obesity" is typically used when your weight is approximately 20%-30% or more above normal weight for a person of your age, height, and bone density. 

Measuring your level of body fat is complicated, so in order to simplify the process many health care professionals use height-weight tables that have a range of acceptable weights for a person of a given height. Since women typically have more body fat than men, most health care professionals say that a man with more than 25% body fat and a woman with more than 30% body fat are obese.  The term "morbidly obese" is used when a person is 50% or more over normal weight, more than 100 pounds over normal weight, has a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or is overweight to the degree that the weight severely interferes with health or normal function.

Problems with being overweight or obese are frequently accompanied by other mental health issues.  One of the painful aspects of being overweight or obese is the psychological suffering it causes. Overweight and obese persons often face prejudice or discrimination at work, at school, and in social situations. Feelings of boredom, stress, sadness, anxiety, rejection, low self-worth, shame, anger or depression are common in people who are overweight or obese. 

Causal factors in being overweight and obese

Mental health professionals do not know exactly why some people move beyond normal eating behavior and weight, but we know that this is a complex process and usually no one factor is the cause. Genetic, environmental, and other factors all appear to play a role. Although genes are an important factor in many cases of obesity, environmental factors including lifestyle also play a critical role.  For example, since the 1980's our genetic make-up has not changed but our environment and lifestyle has and this reflects itself in the current "overweight" problem.  Most people now eat out too often, consume high-fat foods, put convenience ahead of nutrition, and have become more sedentary.

In terms of causal factors, there are some health conditions that are linked to obesity including hormone problems, depression, Cushing's syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome.  Some studies have found that people with sleep problems may gain weight over time. Additionally, some prescribed drugs such as steroids, antidepressants, and medications for psychiatric conditions or seizure disorders may also cause weight gain.

Weight Control

Every year approximately 50% of U.S. citizens undertake a plan to diet and lose weight but most meet only temporary success at best.  The problem is not just losing the weight but keeping it off. 

If you are overweight, you know that getting to a healthy weight and maintaining that weight typically requires a great deal of motivation, a long term maintenance program and a change in life and eating styles.

Initially, many overweight persons look to do-it-yourself programs and commercial weight loss programs for help. These programs can be very effective for losing weight but many of them do not address the critical maintenance part of permanent weight loss. If these programs have not been successful for you, you may need the help of a professional therapist and a nutritionist.

To be effective, an individual therapeutic program for weight control needs to help you change your eating habits, increase your level of physical activity, help you change other life-style habits that have contributed to your weight gain, and then help you to maintain what you have learned and achieved. 

Over the years, I have found that the type of treatment that is be best for my clients depends on several variables including your motivation to lose weight, your level of obesity, your overall health condition, what you have tried so far, and your personality and temperament. Treatment methods typically include a combination of cognitive therapy, nutritional counseling, reality therapy, exercise, behavioral therapy and diet and weight control strategies.

Remember, to be a truly effective effort, you not only need to lose weight but you need to keep this weight off.  Weight control is a life-long endeavor. If your overweight or obese condition reflects a true eating disorder, treatment can be expected to be more complex and take longer to resolve.

For more information about weight control issues, please visit the websites listed below.

"If you really want help dealing with your feelings and emotions, changing your behavior, and improving your life, I will be happy to help you.  I am available almost any time and any place.  You can call me directly and there is no cost or obligation for the initial telephone consultation.  Or you can reach me by email.  I look forward to the possibility of helping you to improve your life."   Dr. Vince Berger