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| Obesity | |||
| Prevalence (home) | |||
| Definition | |||
| Causes | |||
| Why Be Worried? | |||
| Psycho-Social Factors | |||
| Medical Complications | |||
| Medical Treatments | |||
| Gimmicks & Low Carbs | |||
| FAQ's | |||
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| Weight Management Programs | |||
| For Patients | |||
| For Injured Workers | |||
| For Case Managers | |||
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| Eating Disorders | |||
| Compulsive Overeating | Diagnostic Criteria | ||
| Eating Behaviors & Moods | |||
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| Resources | |||
| Patient Education | |||
| Obesity Education Programs (first airing June, 2004) | Consulting & Med-legal Asst | ||
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| Cigna Hall of Shame | |||
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| Accessibility/Section 508 | |||
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| Office Location/Appts. | |||
| Michael D. Myers, M.D.,Inc. | |||
| 10601 Walker Street, Suite 250 | |||
| Cypress, CA (U.S.) 90630 | |||
| Voice: (562) 493-2266 | |||
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Psycho-social and other factors
Obesity results from the interaction of genetic, metabolic, environmental, and psycho-social factors. In this section, we discuss some of the psycho-social and other factors that contribute to obesity.
Depression
Depression is not just feeling blue for a day, but is the result of actual chemical changes that take place in the brain, causing profound episodes of sadness, crying, and loss of energy. Depression is commonly associated with loss of appetite, but in a significant minority, depression is associated with increased appetite and weight gain. The increase in weight experienced in this situation often leads to further feelings of worthlessness. Medications used to treat depression are generally very effective, but can lead to an even greater weight gain. If you have problems with depression associated with weight gain, you should communicate your concerns to your healthcare professional since several antidepressants can lead to weight loss. For further information about depression, click here.
Binge eating disorder ("compulsive overeating")
Binge eating disorder ("compulsive overeating") was initially described 50 years ago, but only in recent years has the extent of this disorder been known. It is characterized by the following diagnostic criteria:A. Recurrent episodes of binge
eating. An episode of binge eating is characterized by both of the
following:
(1) Eating, in a discrete period of time (within a two hour period),
an amount of food that is definitely larger than most people would eat in a
similar period of time under similar circumstances.
(2) A sense of lack of control over eating during the episode; that is, a feeling
that one cannot stop eating or control what or how much one is eating.
B. The binge-eating episodes
are associated with three or more of the following:
(1) Eating much more rapidly than normal.
(2) Eating until feeling uncomfortably full.
(3) Eating large amounts of food when not feeling physically hungry.
(4) Eating alone because of being embarrassed by how much one is eating.
(5) Feeling disgusted with oneself, depressed, or very guilty after overeating.
C. Marked distress regarding the binge eating.
D. The binge eating occurs, on average, at least two days a week for six months.
E. The binge eating is not associated with the regular use of inappropriate compensatory behaviors (such as purging, fasting, excessive exercise) and does not occur exclusively during the course of Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
Binge eating disorder is associated with obesity and usually with more severe obesity. Over 30% of individuals seeking medical treatment for obesity and (in some surveys) up to 50% of individuals being seen in non-medical weight reduction programs meet diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder. Binge eating disorder is also frequently (50% of the time) associated with major depression. Binge episodes may result from any number of factors, but are frequently set off by stressful situations and will most commonly occur in the late afternoon or evening.
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| Updated:
28 May 2004. Copyright © 1996-2004 Michael D. Myers, M.D., Inc. All rights reserved. |
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The above information is for general purposes only and should not be construed as definitive or binding medical advice. Because each person is medically different, individuals should consult their own personal physicians for specific information and/or treatment recommendations.