Obesity in India is rising rapidly. Much research has been conducted on this rising epidemic putting it down to genetic influence and lifestyle.
Having dealt with several overweight clients, my observations are -- in close to 60 percent of the cases, most try the diet and exercise regime, and fail. After having fought the battle of the bulge myself for several years and achieving success with others, I decided to attack obesity from a different angle.
Examining the mental makeupObesity can trigger feelings of low self esteem. Poor stamina and ungainly physical appearance often invite cruel comments from the world.
But the converse is also true - feelings of low self esteem can prompt irrational eating behaviours that can worsen obesity.
Most dieticians and doctors focus on diet followed by an exercise regimen. But many a times, what is not taken into account is the fact that obesity may have been caused by low self esteem. Perhaps this is the reason so many diet strategies fail and the relapse rates of obesity are possibly higher than in the case of alcohol addiction.
Self esteem plays a big role in how healthy someone is. Being harshly criticised or physically punished as a child are triggers for overeating, just as high expectations and pressure from parents.
Other reasons include loss of a parent, financial constraints, peer pressure, or sibling rivalry.
Aarti (name changed), a 32-year-old divorcee weighed 120 kilos, had diabetes, and was in severe denial about her problems. After several failed diet programs her doctor finally advised counseling. Eventually her background came to light. Her father was an abusive alcoholic and her mother was constantly depressed. So she force-fed Aarti since childhood. Growing up overweight, she became the target of hurtful criticism.
In the case above, addressing the obesity issue only through diet and exercise is insufficient. Low self esteem can lead a person to overeat to alleviate the lurking pain or problems, which leads to guilt. And this guilt can cause one to binge more. It’s a vicious cycle.
How to break the obesity-low self esteem cycle?In her book, Do you Use Food to Cope, clinical psychologist Dr Sheila Forman writes, “When you address self esteem and start to value yourself more, you will start to take better care of yourself. You will start choosing food more carefully. You will want to feel better and eat less, and more healthfully. Over time, as your self esteem goes up, your weight will come down.”
