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Food+Emotions=Obesity
By admin | November 12, 2007
Food is always there for you. In the fridge. Whether you need something sweet or sour, you know that it will bring you comfort as a true friend.
Importance of food and eating is a subject of many scientists today, who are trying to find “cure” for obesity. Weight can reflect one’s physical and emotional state. Being overweight or obese impacts person’s social, emotional and physical life. There are some prejudes about overweight people – they are lazy and irresponsible. It’s especially hard to have few pounds extra when you are a teenager – other kids just can’t stop mocking. That brings us to the first question:
WHY PEOPLE EAT MORE THAN THEY NEED?
It’s hard to answer that question, though. Food is important for body’s normal function and it has been like that since the beginning of the world. Hundreds of years ago, when in war, people had no food and that situation developed a certain state of mind. State of mind where hunger reflected negativeness, bad temper, sadness and sometimes even death.
Through food, babies knew their moms took good care of them. It made them happy, comfortable, energetic. And that brings us to the conclusion: Food can cause different emotions.
There is a connection between food, people in our lives and emotions. Look at this example:
Little boy comes home from school, feeling tired and wanting to spend time playing his favorite game. As soon as he steps into the kitchen, he sees his mom with a pan of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. She gives him a kiss and one cookie. Boy feels loved, happy and taken care of. When that little boy grows up, and feels lonely, sad and tired, what would be the comfort food for him? You’re right, fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
When feeling sad, depressed and lonely, people turn to food. Instead of having social and romantic relationships with people, they have it with food. Eating favorite food gives them pleasure, satisfaction and happiness than otherwise would be given by other people or activities/hobbies. 
THE FOOD TRAP
But, there’s a catch. Food does give us pleasure and satisfaction, but for how long? The pleasure lasts for few minutes, while eating food. And what later? Feeling of guilt. And huge disappointment.
Sometimes we can’t control inner feelings or other factors that causes stress. People use food as a weapon for sad events that occurred, feelings like depression or sadness… Almost as if they are using it to make up for the life emptiness they feel at the moment.
Physical emptiness is like a surrogate to emotional emptiness. Person that eats too much feels like food can replace everything else that’s missing. They eat like there will be no food or as if they didn’t get enough ( the amount they had deserved ).
The body doesn’t feel full, because this state is not only physical, but emotional.
WHAT TO DO?
Modern diets are bringing people hope to lose weight, feel better and live longer. But, that’s wrong. Diets should only give clues about what you should eat and maybe sometimes use them to lose pound or two. But the best way to lose weight and take control over one’s life is to admit that they have a problem. Admitting is almost but the hardest part of heeling. When you admit that you have a problem, the next step is to get support. Support from family, friends and maybe even from a doctor or psychiatrist. Obesity can be treated, but takes time and effort.
This way, you can realize what’s the real and actual problem and start the process of getting back your life on track. Seeing someone who can help you is a good choice. There are many doctors who specialize in weight and food problems, who can help you or someone you care about to lose weight and find a normal balance between food and emotions.
Remember: the best diet is healthy eating, good nutrition and regular excersize. Food is there to give you energy and help your body function properly, not to be your friend and companion.
Being obese is almost like a curse. A nightmare where you simply cannot be yourself and live your life the way you would normally. Don’t fall into food trap wrapped into deceptive comfort. Be strong. Be yourself finally!
Topics: Eating Disorders, Health, Men's Health, Mental Health, Physical Health, Weight loss, Women's Health | No Comments »
