Is Being Obese Really a Mental Health Issue? (depressed, yoga, pressure)

[Easybreezy]

Too often weight loss technigues focus on strictly diet and exercise. While these will produce results, long term success must address the emotional aspects of obesity. The root cause of obesity will not necessarily disappear as the pounds do. It's still there, still unadressed, which is why so many people regain the weight.

[redvelvet709]

Originally Posted by auntieannie68

a mental health issue???? really???? this theory is so off the wall!

I don't think so. There has to be something "off" in order to not only allow your one and only body to get that way, but to defend it. It is very indicative of a larger, emotional problem.

[redvelvet709]

Originally Posted by AnywhereElse

I often wonder if it has to do with the new wave of "entitlement" as to why people do things. They feel "entitled" to do what makes them feel good or satisfied and expect no consequences. In that respect, the obesity would be stemming from a mental health issue because it is not realistic or mentally healthy to believe that you are "entitled" and not expect consequences. Seriously, I have seen people who ate constantly whatever they enjoyed and screamed "GENETICS". There are some people who have physical issues but only a tiny percentage. We are living in a time where it seems that a majority of the people have this false feeling of "entitlement" and having no "personal responsibility".

you are right on here! Self-control equates to a sense of responsibility which also equates to the realization that life is more than your own narcissistic senses.

[CArizona]

Maybe it's hard to have a sense of "being full" or a sense of being "satisfied" when we feel "empty" inside and our life seems blah and boring...I can "stuff my face" at times when I'm bored or lonely or when all of my problems have grown into "huge mountains" and I don't know where to "begin" when it comes to solving anything...But I don't usually "stuff my face" very often. I usually go the "other way." Everything that I try to eat tastes like "cardboard." I can cook my favorite things and "spice" everything "up" but it doesn't matter or work...Everything still tastes like "cardboard" until I climb out of my "slump."...It's not good when I don't feel like eating much because I am pretty "run down" right now and "too thin" due to stress and ongoing problems in my life. But I'm not going to be "singled-out" and "targeted" for being "thin." I'm not going to be called names like "pig" or "fatty" etc...People may assume that I have "perfect control" over things in my life but this isn't always (or usually) true!...Appearances can be deceiving! And I don't think that anyone really has "perfect control" in all areas of their life anyway! We might admire someone we work with because this person seems so competent and "all-together." But what we don't see is how miserable this person is at home most of the time...Anyway I try not to make assumptions when it comes to other people and their lives and habits etc...My Mom wasn't a "big eater" at all yet she could "put on pounds" fast due to a lifelong thyroid condition and a slow metabolism rate. My husband could eat whatever he wanted and never gained weight because his system "burned-off" calories fast.

[jasper12]

One thing, is body image. I think that obese people have an opposite view of their body, in some respects, than anorexics. Anorexia sufferers have a distorted view of their body image as fat, even when being severely emaciated, to the point of starvation/death. Whereas I think obese people, see themselves as not looking so fat. The opposite, but same distorted view of body image.
Is Obesity a Psychiatric Disorder? | Psychology Today

I don't know why the DSM V lists Anorexia as a psychological disorder, yet ignores obesity. I think it is due to social issues, that obese are somehow seen has being lazy, and that it is not seen as a legitimate eating disorder, with psychological issues.

[CArizona]

jasper12...Well I've been around people who drive me crazy at times with their talk about "being fat" and how they need to watch their diet etc...My Aunt was the worst offender. She used to actually lift-up her blouse at home or in public to show people her stomach! And she asked everyone if she looked thin or fat. It got old!...I don't want to talk about weight and diets all the time when I'm with friends or family members. It gets boring. Don't you think?...I don't want to tie my identity or my self-esteem around the bathroom scale for heaven's sake!...I get tired of being around people who keep talking about what they "should" or "shouldn't eat" all the time. (Whether it has to do with weight and dieting or being health-conscious etc.) I feel like saying: "Enough already! Stop ranting and raving and just eat! "...All of the "shoulds" and "should nots" and "pondering" back and forth ruins meals. And it ruins the potential for just having fun with friends minus all the "drama" about food.

[jerseygal4u]

You guys say it may be a mental health issue. I think not. I think people just don't give a hoot,they want to do what feels good to them. I know that was the case with me,as I was obese and I'm overweight now.Even now,I think I'm fine with being overweight,and I look good in clothing. I love food,and if someone doesn't like my size,it doesn't put a dent in my self esteem.

Also,I had a coworker from Eritrea who thought Americans were crazy for trying to lose weight all the time.
In her country,she said people were always trying to gain weight. Even in certain cultures in the Usa,its a turnoff to be skinny. I know for me,being overweight has gotten me more male attention,not less. I hear women all the time who said they were skinny but once they became overweight they got more male attention.

[jerseygal4u]

Originally Posted by jasper12

One thing, is body image. I think that obese people have an opposite view of their body, in some respects, than anorexics. Anorexia sufferers have a distorted view of their body image as fat, even when being severely emaciated, to the point of starvation/death. Whereas I think obese people, see themselves as not looking so fat. The opposite, but same distorted view of body image.
Is Obesity a Psychiatric Disorder? | Psychology Today

I don't know why the DSM V lists Anorexia as a psychological disorder, yet ignores obesity. I think it is due to social issues, that obese are somehow seen has being lazy, and that it is not seen as a legitimate eating disorder, with psychological issues.

That's true. I used to reason with myself"there are a lot of people who are bigger than me" all the time,esp looking all around me when I was at Walmart.
I also thought I was average at size 16,because most people around me were that size.

[stan4]

Yeah...overweight is likely about not paying attention, aging, metabolism, etc.

Obese...well, there is some serious denial involved there.

[greg42]

You have to divide it up though.

The process of getting obese, over time, is likely a mental health issue for many if not most cases. That rings true to me.

The process of staying obese could be partly that but also has some physiological basis. The body appears to have defenses designed to maintain the weight. I don't think people stay obese solely because mental health issues are running unchecked.