Psychological explanations for obesity

Restraint theory by Herman & Mack (1975)

Not eating actually increases the probability of overeating.  ‘What the hell effect’.

People attempt to lose weight by placing a self-imposed target upon food intake and then indulge in reduced eating to meet the target.

However, in 80% of cases this leads to overeating, weight increase and obesity.

The reason this may occur is the self-imposed target is often unrealistic and attempting to diet lowers mood and increases hunger and motivation to eat more.

Food is categorised into ‘good’ and ‘bad’, creating believes about which foods are allowed and which are forbidden.

Two types of restraint;

Rigid - all-or-nothing approach.

Flexible - a less strict approach to dieting where fattening foods can be eaten in limited quantities without guilt.

Disinhibition

Normal social constraints are weakened by environmental triggers.  

This concerns overeating, eating too quickly and repeated lack of success with dieting.  It is linked with having a high body mass index (BMI) and obesity.

It occurs when individuals have opportunities to consume desirable foods and when under emotional distress (internal), e.g. comfort eating.

It is also linked to anxiety-prone individuals, often with poor interpersonal attachments, who rely on external factors, such as food for emotional control.

3 different types of disinhibition (Bond et al, 2001).

Habitual disinhibition - tendency…