Role of Mental Health in the Management of Obesity by Dr. Reshma Stanislaus

Eat right and exercise.
Should be simple, right?
Reduce sugar intake.

Consume a variety of food, predominantly whole food and plant based.
Limit/eliminate processed food and food with trans fat in them.
Eat complex carbs with a lower GI.

Ask any overweight/obese person. They could probably write a book on weight loss/maintenance.

It’s not for the lack of knowledge or information out there, although that is sometimes the case as access to accurate information varies.

However, if someone has the knowledge yet still makes choices that result in poorer health outcomes, we have to ask why.

What do ACEs (adverse chilhood experiences) have to do with it?

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)?

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder)?

Addiction? Over-consumption of sugar (including those hidden in alcohol) leads to very visible consequences, unlike other, less visible addictions/coping mechanisms.

Eating disorders?

The effect of built environment?

The access or lack thereof to fresh, whole food?

Most people can state WHY they want something, in this case, having a healthy body composition. It may be more relevant to ask, “WHY NOT?” as it’s important to address the barriers that prevent someone from making choices that result in better health outcomes.