Positive Body Image Key to Weight Loss, Research Shows

Rebecca Lewis September 02, 2014

With 64% of the UK population classified as ‘overweight’, scientists are looking into better ways to help the general public cut down their risk of obesity. Now, researchers from the Technical University of Lisbon and Bangor University identified a key factor that can determine the person’s likelihood of losing weight successfully.

The findings, published in the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity, show a clear connection between how a person feels about her physical image and her ability to lose weight.

For the study, researchers conducted behavioural weight loss interventions on a group of obese women and compared them to the results of a control group who did not participate in the intervention plan.

For one year, each group engaged in weight loss activities. The weight loss efforts of the control group were supported with information on nutrition, stress management and other health information. The intervention group, however, attended weekly group meetings to discuss body image concerns as well as obstacles to weight loss like emotional eating, the challenges of exercising and their own personal weight loss struggles.

After a full year, the difference in weight loss between the two groups was substantial. The control group, who did not participate in body image support and intervention, lost less than 2% of their original starting weight. The group involved in the intervention plan, however, boasted an average of 7% weight loss after undergoing the program.

‘Vicious Cycle’

Researchers identified a vicious cycle that leads to weight gain.

· Criticize yourself for looking bad.

· Overeat due to stress/need for comfort.

· Gain weight.

· Feel bad about self and begin to self-criticize.

And the cycle continues.

The new research supports the theory that a positive body image plays a key role in the ability to lose excess weight and keep it off over time. Women who felt better about how they looked were less anxious about the opinions of peers and more likely to adopt better eating habits, rather than resorting to comfort eating during times of distress.

Their findings suggest that the tendency to criticise self is usually the result of negative psychological attachments that have roots in earlier life experience.

Source of this article: Research Reveals Positive Feelings Key to Weight Loss