Many people try to control their weight, but most fail to do so effectively. This is particularly true of those who are overweight.
Psychologists are experts in making behavioral and lifestyle changes that assist with weight management. They work with individuals independently or as part of a health care team.
Weight cycling
Weight cycling, also known as yo-yo dieting, is an eating pattern that involves intentionally losing and regaining weight. This cyclic behavior can be harmful to health and should be avoided by those with normal or overweight body weights. Studies have shown that weight cycling can lead to a decrease in resting metabolic rate and an accumulation of fat mass. In addition, it can cause a disruption in the production and secretion of adipokines.
While the prevalence of weight cycling is high, the evidence is conflicting regarding its impact on morbidity and mortality. The lack of a standard definition of weight cycling, the limitations of human and rodent study design and methods, and the need for additional control group comparisons make it difficult to evaluate risk and benefit. In addition, studies that rely on self-reported data and/or have long follow-ups are at increased risk of confounding effects. Despite these challenges, very few studies have reported an adverse effect of weight cycling on morbidity and early mortality.
Binge eating
Although it is normal for many of us to turn to food for comfort, there is a difference between occasional overeating and binge eating. Binge eating is a chronic disorder that causes distress and feeling out of control during the episodes. The episodes include eating much larger than usual amounts of food, eating quickly, and eating when not hungry. They also involve feeling disgusted, ashamed or guilty about the behavior.
Binge eating is often associated with psychological and physical problems, such as depression, low self-esteem, and chronic digestive conditions like gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). It can also be a trigger for certain medical illnesses, including joint problems, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and sleep disorders.
Scientists do not know what causes BED, but genes and the way your body works may play a role. It can also be triggered by emotional stress and by negative messages from family, friends or society about weight and appearance.
Emotional eating
Emotional eating is a type of maladaptive coping strategy that involves using food as a means of stifling negative emotions, such as stress and sadness. It can also be used to enhance positive feelings, such as happiness or love. Often, people learn to eat emotionally as children. For example, a child who is given cookies as a reward for good behavior may develop a pattern of rewarding themselves with food every time they feel bad or stressed.
The first step in stopping emotional eating is identifying the triggers. You can do this by keeping a journal of what you eat and how you felt at the time. Then, look for patterns. For example, if you find that you always eat when you’re feeling sad or bored, try to identify healthier ways to satisfy those feelings.
Another way to stop emotional eating is to eat only when you’re physically hungry. A rumbling stomach is the best indication of physical hunger.