New report highlights the psychological complexity of obesity

iStock_000001531763XSmall obese man

The British Psychological Society has published a new report about integrating psychological treatments with other interventions for obesity.

The report covers:

  • Obesity in children
  • Weight loss surgery
  • Physical activity and exercise psychology – healthy weight management for adults
  • Exercise for obese individuals
  • Applied psychology and obesity management
  • Pharmacological interventions
  • Psychological interventions for people with BMI>35

Dr Julie Waumsley chaired the working group of clinical, educational, health, counselling and sport and exercise psychologists.  She presented the report by saying:

This comprehensive report offers new insights to help individuals struggling with weight problems and plug gaps not filled by current obesity interventions. It is clear from this report that obesity is a complex issue. If the ‘cure’ was as simple as logic suggests (eat healthily and take regular exercise) there would not be an obesity epidemic blighting the lives of so many and draining NHS resources. Nutritional and sociological factors have received much government and media attention but the psychological approach, often neglected, could make the difference in helping individuals tackle this problem.

Obesity in the UK: A psychological perspective (PDF). British Psychological Society, 2011.

Share on Facebook Tweet this on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+
Mark as read
Create a personal elf note about this blog
Profile photo of Andre Tomlin

Andre Tomlin

André Tomlin is an Information Scientist with 20 years experience working in evidence-based healthcare. He's worked in the NHS, for Oxford University and since 2002 as Managing Director of Minervation Ltd, a consultancy company who do clever digital stuff for charities, universities and the public sector. Most recently André has been the driving force behind the Mental Elf and the National Elf Service; an innovative digital platform that helps professionals keep up to date with simple, clear and engaging summaries of evidence-based research. André is a Trustee at the Centre for Mental Health and an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London Division of Psychiatry. He lives in Bristol, surrounded by dogs, elflings and lots of woodland!

More posts - Website

Follow me here –