Are Emotions a Barrier to the Treatment of Obesity?

Addressing emotional causes of obesity is sometimes the best weight-loss treatment. For many people, what's holding them back from losing weight isn't a physical barrier or a social/environmental cause, but their own emotions.

In recent years, research into the treatment of obesity has expanded to include psychological causes. Studies have identified different ways that your emotions may play a role in weight gain, obesity and weight loss.

3 Emotional Causes of Obesity

1. Stress. There is a good reason that comfort food got its name. For most people, eating feels good. And in times of stress, some people use food as the best way to calm their emotions. While emotional eating doesn't result in weight gain for everyone, it can be a cause of obesity in some.

   In a study about the eating and exercise habits of obese mothers, researchers found that stressful experiences triggered overeating and prevented the women from practicing healthier habits. Of course, isolated cases of overeating won't cause long-term weight gain, but researchers in other studies have found that for some people, overeating can become a chronic coping mechanism for managing life's stressors.

   Avoiding stress is not always possible. But relaxation techniques can be a healthy alternative for managing emotions during stressful times. In a published study about using relaxation training with obese women, study participants received relaxation techniques under the guidance of a licensed mental health professional. A specific type of relaxation technique, guided imagery, helped them reach weight loss success.

   Even if you are not working with a therapist, it's possible to learn guided imagery on your own. It takes some time to master, but guided imagery may be the most effective treatment for obesity if your emotions are causing you to eat during stressful times.

2. Depression. The link between depression and obesity is a hazy one, and researchers are not sure of their exact relationship. For example, some studies have found that depression can be a cause of obesity, while others have not.

   In a review of obesity literature, one group of researchers identified several ways in which depression may cause obesity. Some commonly prescribed antidepressants can cause weight gain. The researchers also noted that lack of sleep, a common symptom of depression, is also a risk factor for obesity. Inactivity, another common symptom, can spark increased weight.

   If you find yourself battling obesity, getting screened for depression may be a reasonable step to take. Consider speaking to your primary care physician about getting a referral to a mental health professional. He or she will be able to investigate the cause of your obesity and determine whether you have depression.

3. Personal or Childhood Trauma. Some researchers have found that people who were exposed to physical abuse, sexual abuse or peer bullying are at higher risk for obesity.

According to one published report, the authors speculated on the use of weight gain and obesity as emotionally protective "solutions" for survivors of abuse. The study was conducted by a group of California physicians affiliated with the Positive Choice Weight Loss Program in San Diego. The researchers noted that the sexual, physical and social protective benefits of being obese were hard for many non-obese individuals to accept.

If you suspect that a past experience is standing in the way of your treatment for obesity, there are many behavioral health specialists who are skilled at treating the underlying emotional causes of obesity. Your primary-care provider may be able to provide a referral. If not, there are other ways to find a therapist. The American Psychological Association provides resources to help consumers get the help they need, including a locator service to find practitioners in your area.

There are many causes of obesity. If you are struggling unsuccessfully to lose weight, there may be more than one factor that is contributing to your condition. Try to consider all of the underlying causes of obesity to find out which barriers stand in the way of reaching a healthy weight.

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