Weighing Ourselves Down

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Hodges
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Objective Measure ◽  
Subjective Experiences ◽  
Cultural Meanings ◽  
Canonical Narratives

Bodyweight—the number on the scale—has been constructed as an objective measure of health, and weight loss as synonymous with healthier. Weight has been used as a way of classifying and controlling people, ignoring the embodied, relational, and cultural meanings attached to health and weight. Instead, these subjective experiences are lumped into a numerical category. Our society's obsession with weight is weighing us down and most of us should toss out our scales. Scale stories offer a departure from canonical narratives about physical health and body image by emphasizing emotions and lived experiences instead of bodyweight and numerical categories.

Attitudes about Antidepressants: Influence of Information about Weight-Related Side Effects

2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Cash ◽  
Melissa A. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
College Women ◽  
Antidepressant Drugs ◽  
Antidepressant Medications ◽  
Body Image Ideals ◽  
Clinical Populations

Antidepressant drugs are frequently prescribed for women and have various side effects, including potential effects on body weight. This experiment examined the effects of information about the weight-related side effects of antidepressants on women's attitudes toward the drugs. 60 college women were randomly assigned to read about one of two drugs, fluoxetine (Prozac) or Imipramine (Tofranil). Participants were either told or not told about veridical weight-related side effects, namely, weight loss for Prozac and weight gain for Tofranil. As hypothesized, weight-gain information lowered the personal acceptability of Tofranil, and weight-loss information enhanced the acceptability of Prozac. Although research with clinical populations is required, undergraduate women's decisions about the use of antidepressant medications may be influenced by societal body-image ideals.

Measurements of body image in clinical weight loss participants with and without binge-eating traits

2000 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Gromel ◽  
Roger G. Sargent ◽  
Julia A. Watkins ◽  
Hylan D. Shoob ◽  
Rita F. DiGioacchino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Binge Eating

The Impact of Weight Labels on Body Image, Internalized Weight Stigma, Affect, Perceived Health, and Intended Weight Loss Behaviors in Normal-Weight and Overweight College Women

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 484-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal H. Essayli ◽  
Jessica M. Murakami ◽  
Rebecca E. Wilson ◽  
Janet D. Latner
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
The Body ◽  
Actual Weight ◽  
Main Effects ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: To explore the psychological impact of weight labels. Design: A double-blind experiment that randomly informed participants that they were “normal weight” or “overweight.” Setting: Public university in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. Participants: Normal-weight and overweight female undergraduates (N = 113). Measures: The Body Image States Scale, Stunkard Rating Scale, Weight Bias Internalization Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, General Health question from the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, modified version of the Weight Loss Methods Scale, and a manipulation check. Analysis: A 2 × 2 between-subjects analysis of variance explored the main effects of the assigned weight label and actual weight and interactions between assigned weight label and actual weight. Results: Significant main effects of the assigned weight label emerged on measures of body dissatisfaction, F(1, 109) = 12.40, p = .001, [Formula: see text] = 0.10, internalized weight stigma, F(1, 108) = 4.35, p = .039, [Formula: see text] = .04, and negative affect, F(1, 108) = 9.22, p = .003, [Formula: see text] = .08. Significant assigned weight label × actual weight interactions were found on measures of perceived body image, F(1, 109) = 6.29, p = .014, [Formula: see text] = .06, and perceived health, F(1, 109) = 4.18, p = .043, [Formula: see text] = .04. Conclusion: A weight label of “overweight” may have negative psychological consequences, particularly for overweight women.

scholarly journals Safety of 8-h time restricted feeding in adults with obesity

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelsey Gabel ◽  
Kristin K. Hoddy ◽  
Krista A. Varady
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Disordered Eating ◽  
Blood Count ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Eating Patterns ◽  
Restricted Feeding ◽  
Image Perception ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Disordered Eating Patterns

This study examines the safety of time restricted feeding (TRF; 8-h feeding window/16-h fasting window daily) in obese adults. Twenty-three subjects participated in an 8-h TRF intervention for 12 weeks. Self-reported adverse events, body image perception, complete blood count, and disordered eating patterns did not change from baseline to week 12. These findings suggest that consuming food within an 8-h window can safely facilitate weight loss in subjects with obesity.

O-159 Prediction of weight loss and drop-out in a lifestyle intervention in women with pcos: A randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Jiskoot ◽  
A Dietz de Loos ◽  
R Timman ◽  
A Beerthuizen ◽  
J Busschbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Body Image ◽  
Lifestyle Intervention ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Short Message ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Lifestyle Program ◽  
Message Service ◽  
Lifestyle Treatment

Abstract Study question Which patient related determinants contribute to a ≥ 5% weight loss and drop-out? Summary answer Participating in the lifestyle treatment and a worse body image at baseline were significantly associated with ≥5% weight loss. What is known already In general, three-component interventions including diet, exercise, and cognitive behavioral therapy have shown to be effective at the long-term to achieve weight loss. In a lifestyle program for infertile women, higher external eating behavior scores and not receiving previous support by a dietician were associated with weight loss. In a short term lifestyle program for women with PCOS, weight loss was associated with better quality of life scores and attendance of study appointments. Little has been published about the potential role of PCOS characteristics, psychological and behavioral variables on the ability to achieve weight loss in this group of women. Study design, size, duration The present study is a longitudinal RCT to study the effectiveness of a three component 1-year cognitive-behavioural lifestyle intervention on weight loss in overweight/obese women with PCOS. A total of 183 participants were randomly assigned to three groups: 1) CBT provided by the multidisciplinary team or; 2) CBT provided by the multidisciplinary team and Short Message Service (SMS) or; 3) usual care: women are encouraged to lose weight through publicly available services (control group). Participants/materials, setting, methods Women with menstrual cycle disorders are systematically screened using a standardised protocol. Data of 183 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria, a Body Mass Index above 25 kg/m² were included. All variables were measured at start and at three, six, nine and twelve months. Main results and the role of chance The multivariable mixed-effect logistic regression model showed that participation in the lifestyle treatment (HR 2.3, P = 0.012) and a worse body image (FNAE) (HR 0.95, P = 0.023) at baseline were significantly associated with ≥5% weight loss. Drop-out was predicted by participation in the lifestyle treatment (OR 0.2 P = 0.003), additional short message service (OR 3.7, P = 0.008), smoking (OR 0.3, P = 0.22), drinking alcohol (OR 2.4, P = 0.04), higher levels of androstenedione (OR 1.2, P = 0.047). Also, women who achieved spontaneous pregnancies were more likely to drop-out (OR 0.09, P = 0.002). Limitations, reasons for caution A limitation of our study is the high discontinuation rate we observed especially after 3 months of the intervention. Therefore a statistical method was chosen that included all available data even if participants dropped out during the study period. Wider implications of the findings A three-component lifestyle intervention program for obese women with PCOS is effective for weight loss. The group of women with a more negative body image should receive additional treatment before entering such a lifestyle intervention to achieve better results. Trial registration number Registered at the Netherlands National Trial Register with number NTR2450 on August 2nd, 2010.

A case to ruminate on: vomiting and weight loss in intellectual disability and autism

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 284-290
Author(s):  
Shaista Mufti
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Significant Weight Loss ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Rumination Syndrome ◽  
Physical Health Outcomes ◽  
Risk Of Mortality ◽  
Diagnostic Certainty

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to review a case of a man with intellectual disability, autism and challenging behaviour who presented with vomiting, regurgitations and significant weight loss. Design/methodology/approach The paper examines the case history and identifies challenges contributing to symptom classification and management of a patient with intractable vomiting, regurgitations and significant weight loss. Findings This case illustrates the importance of the multidisciplinary team working required to reduce morbidity and risk of mortality, as well as highlighting some of the challenges associated with coordinating different approaches from different agencies. Pharmacological management did not result in lasting symptom resolution in this case. Difficulties in establishing diagnostic certainty and consideration of whether symptoms could be consistent with rumination syndrome are also discussed. The value of consistent implementation of positive behavioural support is also demonstrated. Originality/value The rapid and dangerous weight loss described in this case is associated with adverse physical health outcomes and has generated significant anxiety resulting in extensive liaison between primary and secondary mental and physical health services. Additionally, it considers whether the symptoms could be attributed to the relatively rare diagnosis of rumination syndrome which is historically underdiagnosed.

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