Obesity

Obesity counselling can be highly beneficial if you have an obesity problem. However, as well as having counselling, it will help if you try to understand and tackle the various factors that are contributing towards your obesity. Normally, there is no quick fix. It took you a long time to become obese, so it is likely to take a long time to get back into healthy condition again. But with commitment plus the support and guidance of professional counselling, you can conquer obesity, and improve your quality of life.

Obesity is a complex disease for which there is no single cause or cure. In broad terms, you gain weight if you absorb more calories than you use. But many other factors can affect your chances of becoming obese, such as your family history, genetic make-up and race; the environment you live and work in; and the type of work you do.

Food is an important social element in our lives, but unfortunately our culture tends to encourage overeating. Fast-food options, supersized portions and ready-meals are easily available and the fast pace of modern life means that it is all too easy to give in to the convenience of these. And food manufacturers make their products so tasty that it’s easy to overlook the empty calories and unhealthy ingredients many of them contain.

For many people, comfort eating offers a way to combat stress or depression, but this can lead to a vicious circle in which the increase in weight creates more stress, so we eat more, and so it goes on.

Unfortunately, as well as eating too much, many of us exercise too little. We either hate doing it or simply can’t find the time. We drive everywhere, or use public transport rather than walking. And we relax in front of the television for hours on end, punctuating programmes with snacks and soft drinks.
Obesity doesn’t happen quickly. Gaining fatty deposits is a gradual process that occurs whenever the body takes in more calories than it burns on any given day. The excess calories turn into fat. Over a long period of time being slightly overweight turns into being very overweight, and eventually into being obese.

Obesity symptoms

With so many people in our society becoming obese, the problem is not as visibly obvious as it used to be in the past, when the majority were relatively slim and obese people were conspicuous. And of course, many people are in denial about their problem. They avoid looking in mirrors and wear larger clothes that hide the evidence. Some people convince themselves that they are “big-boned” or have “a low metabolic rate”. But it’s a problem that won’t go away until it is acknowledged and tackled properly.

Eventually, excess weight becomes obvious. Fat builds up around the stomach, hips, thighs and upper arms. Of course a taller, larger person can carry more weight without it being so noticeable – which is why the best indicator of obesity is not only physical appearance, but also a scientific calculation of the body mass index, or BMI. This measurement takes account of the proportionate difference between a person's height and weight. A BMI score of 30 or higher classifies the person as obese.

Quick fixes don’t cure obesity

Miracle diets that help you to lose large amounts of weight very quickly are likely to damage your health as much as obesity will. Laxatives and diuretics may cause serious medical problems. And weight loss surgery may leave you with more complications than before.

Professional help for obesity

Overweight people always believe that they can diet and exercise, and some manage to do so and lose weight. Usually, however, they gradually regain the excess weight. Eventually, for most people there comes a time when help is essential. Encouragement from family and friends can be highly beneficial, but there is no substitute for professional guidance.

Types of obesity treatment

Dieticians and doctors believe that the healthiest way to fight obesity is to eat healthily and exercise regularly, but that is easier said than done.  Support from a doctor together with advice from a qualified dietician can help you to plan and achieve your weight loss goal gradually, in a controlled manner. And if that help can be reinforced by regular professional counselling your chance of success will be considerably higher, because you will understand much more about the causes of your bad eating habits and will become better able to combat them.

The exact method of treatment will depend on your level of obesity, overall health condition, and commitment to losing weight. The treatment may include a combination of diet, exercise, behaviour modification and sometimes medically approved weight-loss drugs. Remember, weight control is an ongoing process and it will help if you have realistic expectations about how long it will take to reach your goal.

In the battle against obesity, eating healthier foods in lower amounts and getting at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week will eventually pay off. For example, even making a small change, such as washing the car yourself rather than taking it to a car wash, can burn up 300 calories.