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Colleagues, the following is FYI and does not necessarily reflect the
opinion of the Health Awareness Program
Overweight and Obesity
Overweight and obesity have become a national epidemic in which nearly 65
percent of the U.S. adult population is overweight or obese. The current
prominence that overweight and obesity receive as a national public-health
issue requires a broad approach in raising public awareness and education;
however, it is important to take a community approach when addressing this
issue vs. an individual approach that ultimately places the only responsibility
for change with the overweight individual.
Overweight and obesity lead to a conservative 300, 000 deaths annually and
place individuals at greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, hypertension,
musculoskeletal conditions, stroke, some cancers and depression. The
effects of overweight and obesity impact health care expenditures and
productivity more than smoking and alcohol use do. Employers recognize
the importance of developing strategies to address the issue of obesity,
whether through fitness centers, incentives, or creative benefit designs for
health coaching and other wellness programs.
Overweight and obese individuals are viewed as lazy, incompetent, or
personally flawed when in fact this is not true. They are the target of
real or perceived discrimination, which serves to continue the cycle of stress,
shame guilt, depression and overeating.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
There are a number of factors that can contribute to an individual's
obesity; however, there is no single understood cause. Research suggests
that the most common causes may be environmental factors, genetic
predisposition and learned behavior. No two individuals have the same
life experiences, environmental influences, or genetic profile, so too there is
no one factor that contributes to an individual being overweight.
~Lifestyle influences-How much a person eats and how much physical activity
he or she engages in significantly affect weight. High-fat, high-calorie
and convenience meals are often the norm for busy people. Lack of
physical activity is all too common, according to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC).
~Psychological influences-Guild and out-of-control feelings commonly
associated with overeating contribute to overindulgence to reduce the feeling
of stress, shame and guilt. This creates a never-ending and dangerous
cycle. Using food to solve personal problems or to fulfill other unmet
emotional needs contributes to excessive overeating and obesity.
~Family influences-Family learning also has a significant impact on eating
behavior. Parents with poor eating, activity and coping habits teach
their children the same behaviors.
~Genetic predisposition and medical conditions-There is a genetic
predisposition to obesity unrelated to the lifestyle environment. Medical
conditions such as hypothyroidism, depression and certain neurological problems
can interfere with the body's ability to maintain a healthy weight.
~Unmanaged stress-The release of stress-fighting hormones is inhibited by
diets high in fats and non-complex carbohydrates. The body's attempt to
self-regulate hormonal imbalances, created by stress, results in food cravings
for high-fat, non-complex carbohydrate foods. Stress hormones maintain
the stress response at a heightened level of alert, resulting in the formation
of surplus fat cells, blood pressure elevation and salt retention when
unmanaged stress persists.
~Cultural influences-Food consumption is not simply a way for the body to
obtain nutrition, but a way to nurture, celebrate and mourn. Unlike
abstinence from alcohol or tobacco, abstinence from food is impossible.
~Age and gender influences-Although weight gain is more prevalent in middle
age for both men and women, it can occur at any age. Men tend to burn fat
more easily with less physical activity than women, due to more lean muscle
mass. For women, body fat levels, energy levels, and desire and craving
for food are often determined by fluctuating female hormones.
~Income influence-Less healthy foods and high-convenience fast foods can be
purchased more economically than nourishing selections can.
TREATMENT
Since the contributing factors associated with obesity are many, so too are
the interventions to address this issue. Simply assuming that an obese
individual only needs to change addictive or compulsive behavior associated
with their eating negates the many other influence beyond the psychological
factors.
When an overweight individual's needs are assessed, than can expect the
following components to be included in their therapist's or counselor's
approach:
~A comprehensive diagnostic assessment with multiple screenings and
preliminary identification of medical issues.
~Wellness education and prevention information on causes and resources to
address obesity.
~Consultation, guidance and coaching to support the individual.
~Case management, including referral to other resources and follow-up.
~Development of a multidisciplinary network of referral sources.
RESOURCES
~The Employee Assistance Program. Contact the program today and make a
confidential appointment with a counselor to discuss strategies and overcome
the environmental factors contributing to your weight problem. Call
646-1165 or Blitz Faculty Employee Assistance Program.
~Your Primary Care Physician.
~Support groups.
*Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA):
866-977-4700
*Overeaters Anonymous: www.oa.org
SOURCE: Adapted from "Contributing Factors and Clinical Issues in
Obesity", pg 48-9, Addiction Professional V3, N3, May 2005.
(September 2005)
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