Obesity is not caused by a lack of willpower – psychologists

Copyright of the image
Getty Images

Obesity is not a choice and making people feel ashamed only makes their feelings worse, according to a report written by reputed psychologists.

This calls for language changes to reduce stigma, for example by saying "an obese person" rather than "an obese person".

And he says health professionals should be trained to talk about weight loss in a more supportive way.

The recent advertising campaign of a charity fighting against cancer has been criticized for its "shame".

Levels of obesity increased by 18% in England between 2005 and 2017 and similarly in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This means that just over one in four British adults is obese, while nearly two-thirds are overweight or obese.

But these increases can not be explained by a sudden loss of motivation across the UK – it's a lot more complicated than that, according to the report of the British Psychological Society, which concludes that "this is not enough." is not just due to an individual's lack of will ".

Stress and trauma

"The people most likely to have unhealthy weight are those who pose a high genetic risk of obesity and whose lives are also shaped by work, school and social environments that promote overeating and overweight." Inactivity, "he said.

"People living in disadvantaged areas are often subjected to high levels of stress, including major life-threatening and traumatic challenges, and often their neighborhoods offer few opportunities and incentives for physical activity. are limited, and opportunities for access to healthy and affordable food are limited. "

Copyright of the image
Getty Images

According to the report, psychological experiences also play an important role, with nearly half of adults attending specialized obesity services having had difficulties as children.

And the stress caused by gross shame – feeling bad for one's weight – by public health campaigns, general practitioners, nurses, and policy makers often leads to increased nutrition and increased weight gain.

Psychologists can use their expertise to help health professionals better communicate about obesity, says Dr. Angel Chater, author and reader of reports on health psychology and behavioral design at the university. University of Bedfordshire.

"If the treatment of obesity was easy, we would not be here and would not have written this report," she says.

"You may have the best will in the world, but if you do not have access to good food, the right environment, the best start in life … it will be difficult."

Learn to smoke

The report should state that the government should address the problem of obesity in the same way as smoking.

Sarb Bajwa, Executive Director of the British Psychological Society, said: "For decades it has taken action at every level, from government policy to helping individual smokers, but we are currently seeing a significant reduction of smoking and health problems that it causes.

Psychologists have the science and clinical experience needed to help the health service do the same for obesity.

"We can help, not only by designing ways to help individuals, but also by giving advice on public policies that can create an environment in which people find it easier not to become obese at first."

However, psychologists are not in favor of obesity being classified as "sickness", as it may distract attention from behavioral changes that may be successful.