Emotional aspect of Obesity

The broader social context in which families exist also influences how they process emotions. During the interventions that have been set up previously, the conclusions that have been made, show a lack of support within families, for those suffering from obesity. Individuals within a family where there is someone suffering from obesity, sometimes do not see the need to modify their own habits, the individual in question expressing an anger towards this lack of support.

Family members may react emotionally because this response may represent an inability to collaborate and implement new routines that will eventually aid everyone positively. This shows that a system within the family is unbalanced and that boundaries need to be created to allow individuals to all feel comfortable within the family subsystem. Through therapy, individuals become aware that each action whether positive or negative has a ripple effect, so one is encouraged to be open and constructive rather than demeaning and emotionally distant.

For each person, their problem is specific and has a different personal meaning attached it. This is where interventions become difficult. Many approaches that have been taken to reduce obesity, focus on the community at large, in a general format. This is the wrong approach as it only aids a minority and the large group feels excluded and continue the cycle by finding food as a comfort. These approaches are an example of equi-finality, which links the system to a negative feedback loop. Change happens, people lose weight, obesity decreases, a crisis hits, stress rises, and people fall back into the same pattern.

Supportive environments and communities are necessary in influencing an individual’s choices, choosing healthy foods and regular physical activity is one of the easiest choices to make thereby preventing obesity.