Psychologists question obesity therapy

By : John Nixon | Published : Monday August 1, 2011 | Posted in : Weight Loss | Comments

Research conducted in the US may change the type of support obese patients receive to encourage weight loss.

The research looked into the benefits of providing therapy that looks at a patient’s behavioural responses to their environment rather than focussing purely on educating patients on healthy food choices and physical activity.

Detail of this new neurobehavioral therapy was outlined in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association and was conducted by experts from the Rush University Medical Centre.

Brad Appelhans, PhD, clinical psychologist and obesity researcher from the Rush University Prevention Centre said that even highly motivated dieters can find it difficult to resist delicious but unhealthy foods in their environment, so teaching people to make healthy choices isn’t always effective.

Researchers believe that there are three neurobehavioral processes that result in obesity and overeating. These are ‘food reward, inhibitory control and time discounting’.

Those people who find enjoyment out of eating palatable food and are highly motivated to consume these types of food, are sensitive to reward and tend to have strong cravings for fatty and sugary foods. Therefore, these patients tend to be more vulnerable to the temptation fast food outlets in their environment.

Inhibitory control has to do with a person’s ability to suppress the urge to eat high calorie foods and time discounting with one’s ability to delay gratification.

Some of the main ideas behind the potential new therapy is to help people create environments where cravings aren’t likely, like councils in the UK are trying to do by prohibiting fast food outlets from opening within a certain distance of schools. Therapists may also be encouraged to help patients limit the impact of food reward, manage stress and develop a more long-term focused mindset.

Add Comment