The obesity epidemic has been around for 50 years. At least…the title “obesity epidemic” has been bandied about for at least that long and we’ve been studying for at least that long. Experts are still trying to identify the exact reasons behind overeating (chronic or frequent). Overeating chronically or frequently typically results in obesity eventually. Early on studies concluded that overeating was a direct result of anxiety.
Since these early study conclusions…many more studies have been undertaken and completed. While original research indicated that anxiety was the reason for overeating…it isn’t quite true. Anxiety is no longer accepted as the sole reason for overeating. The problem is much wider than that. There are more than one ways to fall victim to the issue.
Further studies conducted throughout the last several decades have led experts to believe that rather than anxiety…it is emotion that rules when it comes to overeating. At least this is true when the subjects being studied are obese individuals. This connection between emotion and overeating is apparent in both obese individuals seeking treatment and obese individuals not seeking treatment.
Characteristics of overeating amongst the obese often include secrecy, the absence of any real hunger, and favorite high calorie/high fat foods. The emotions leading to the overeating range depending upon the individual. Overeating is often the response to the following emotions: anger, frustration, stress, depression, boredom, loneliness and anxiety.
Study experts conclude that in comparison to normal weight individuals…overweight/obese individuals eat more in response to emotional distress. The basic characteristics of the issue being studied makes it difficult for studies to represent the situation accurately. Study control groups representing healthy and/or normal weight individuals were typically made up of college students so the socioeconomic variance is limited in comparison to the actual group of the public that falls into the category of normal/healthy weight.
As experts continue to study obesity and its connection to overeating consumers will continue to do what they can to get control of their weight before it results in a general decline in their health and activity levels.
Amelia Handley studied exercise science at university with a minor in Nutrition. Yet she still found herself veering from diet to diet in order to control her weight. With HCG Diet Direct she’s found a program that allows her to combine her desire to control her own body weight with her education and not feel off balance.
