Psychology Chapter 14: Eating and Weight

Occurs when energy intake equals energy output.

Physical activity and metabolic rate.

How quickly your body burns calories.

Protein signaling when more food is needed.

Helps the hypothalamus understand when you've eaten enough.

Stimulates appetite and decreases metabolism.

Signals satiety (fullness).

Study on effects of starvation on weight loss and aggression.

A 1970s experiment where volunteers overate, showing difficulty in weight gain and loss.

Weight gain became increasingly hard with the demand for more food.

Most participants regained normal weight after the experiment.

The speed of weight loss varied among participants in the experiment.

Family history of obesity may affect the ability to lose weight.

A known family history of obesity.

People volunteered to take part in the overeating study.

Two participants had trouble losing weight after overeating.

A condition characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, leading to health risks.

Suggests that our bodies have a predetermined weight range and try to maintain it through hormones like leptin and ghrelin.

Proposes that our genes influence our predisposition to obesity. We evolved to store fat for survival.

Explains obesity based on positive reinforcement, such as pleasure from eating and social influences.

Obesity significantly increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis.

Obesity is associated with a higher risk of dying compared to those with a healthy weight.

A serious, habitual disturbance in eating behavior that leads to negative health consequences.

An eating disorder where a person intentionally starves themselves to lose weight drastically.

Anorexia affects mostly women, but men can also be affected.

Even after substantial weight loss, people with anorexia may still view themselves as overweight.

Treating anorexia is challenging and has a high mortality rate.

While 75% of anorexics recover, many may retain some unhealthy eating habits.

Outpatient and community-based treatment are more successful than hospitalization.

Another common eating disorder, characterized by binge eating followed by purging behaviors.

Factors that increase the likelihood of experiencing health problems due to excess body weight.

Older individuals generally face higher risks from obesity compared to younger people.

Certain ethnicities may exhibit higher or lower risks associated with obesity.

The distribution of fat in the body can significantly impact health risks.

Fat stored around internal organs (like the liver and intestines), often referred to as a 'beer belly'.

Visceral fat accumulation is strongly linked to various health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Different patterns of fat distribution in the body can have distinct health implications.

Fat stored just below the skin, usually visible as fat deposits on the arms, legs, and buttocks.

An eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by purging (vomiting or laxatives). Patients feel a lack of control over eating, leading to purging after binging.

Childhood trauma, including sexual or physical abuse, can contribute to bulimia. Post-traumatic stress disorder might also be a factor.

Bulimia is less fatal than anorexia, but can cause health issues like tooth decay, low blood sugar, anemia, mouth/esophagus damage, and involuntary vomiting even after normal meals.

Characterized by uncontrolled eating of excessive amounts of food at least once a week for three months. Patients feel a lack of control and don't purge afterwards.

Many obese individuals suffer from binge eating disorder.

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a successful treatment approach, helping patients regain control over eating habits and perceptions of food. Prozac can help control episodes but doesn't lead to weight loss.

Some individuals with binge eating disorder may not perceive their eating habits as problematic, even though they acknowledge weight concerns.

Those with bulimia are usually motivated to recover, and treatment often includes antidepressants and therapy.

Our genes may influence our predisposition to obesity. Humans evolved to store fat for survival.

Obesity can be explained by positive reinforcement of eating, such as pleasure, social context, and biological factors.

Obesity significantly increases the risk of health issues such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis.

There are multiple theories explaining obesity, including the idea of a setpoint weight, genetic influences, and positive reinforcement of eating.

Obesity is a mortality risk. While overweight individuals may not have a significantly higher chance of health problems, obese people have a much greater risk of developing serious health issues.

Humans evolved to store fat to survive periods of food scarcity. This 'thrifty' metabolism can lead to obesity in environments with abundant food.

The location of fat in the body can significantly impact health risks.

The tendency to regain weight after successfully losing it, often returning to previous eating habits.

Changing eating habits for weight loss can be temporary. Returning to old habits leads to weight gain. Dieting can also have negative psychological effects, potentially leading to eating disorders.

Our body strives to maintain a stable weight by balancing energy intake with energy output. This involves factors like metabolism, physical activity, and hormonal signals.

Hormones like leptin (signals fullness), ghrelin (stimulates appetite), and insulin (helps regulate blood sugar) play a role in our body's weight management system.

The Setpoint Model suggests we have a pre-determined weight range that our body tries to maintain through hormonal signals like leptin and ghrelin.

Genes can influence our predisposition to obesity. We evolved to store fat for survival, and some people inherit genes that make them more prone to storing fat than others.

The Positive Incentive Model explains obesity based on the pleasurable experience of eating and social influences. It suggests that we eat more because we enjoy food and because we're often surrounded by others who eat.

Obesity significantly increases the risk of various health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis.

Anorexia Nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by extreme weight loss through intentional starvation and a distorted body image.

Other eating disorders, like Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, involve different patterns of eating and purging behaviors. They all lead to harmful health consequences.

A method of weight loss that involves changing eating habits. This can include restricting certain foods, reducing calorie intake, and focusing on specific food types.

A popular dieting method that involves eliminating certain food groups like carbohydrates, fats, or sugars to promote weight loss. However, these diets can sometimes lead to health problems.

A weight loss approach that focuses on changing eating habits to include healthier food choices, limiting unhealthy food choices, and incorporating physical activity into daily life.

Exercise plays a vital role in weight control by burning calories and creating a calorie deficit. This leads to weight loss. Exercise also improves overall health, including cardiovascular health, blood pressure, and diabetes.

These methods, sometimes recommended by doctors for people with extreme obesity, offer varying levels of success. They include surgical options like gastric bypass, gastric band, and liposuction.

These methods are risky and include fasting, purging, and using drugs like laxatives and appetite suppressants. They can have severe negative effects on your health and potentially lead to serious complications.

All researchers agree that consuming high fiber from fruits and vegetables is essential for health, regardless of the type of weight loss approach being followed.

The state of burning more calories than you consume, leading to weight loss.

While 75% of anorexics recover, many may retain some unhealthy eating habits even after treatment.

Regular exercise can improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease, including stroke. It also helps manage cholesterol levels and improve overall well-being.

Physical activity is linked to a longer lifespan, with an average increase of about 2 years for those who are physically active. It adds quantity and quality to life.

Regular exercise can increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels without raising LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, improving overall cholesterol ratios and reducing heart disease risk.

Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of several types of cancer, especially colorectal and breast cancer.

Exercise can help prevent osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and weak. Starting early and continuing through life is beneficial.

Regular exercise can help control both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar regulation and potentially leading to remission in Type 2.

Exercise has significant psychological benefits, improving mood, reducing stress, and boosting overall mental well-being.

Exercise can be beneficial for those undergoing cancer treatment, helping with side effects, maintaining strength, and controlling weight.

Early studies in the 1950s found that people with sedentary jobs were more likely to develop heart disease compared to active workers. This discovery sparked research into the relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular health.

Later research confirmed the connection between physical activity and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Studies showed that individuals who engage in regular physical activity are less likely to suffer heart attacks or other CVD issues.

Including physical activity as part of recovery after a heart attack significantly decreases the risk of future heart attacks.

Exercise promotes various health benefits, such as controlling weight, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, improving mental health, and reducing chances of chronic diseases.

Exercise addiction is a condition where individuals feel compelled to exercise excessively, even when it harms their health. It shares similarities with drug addiction.

Conditions that increase the likelihood of exercise injury include overtraining, improper technique, inadequate warm-up, and poor equipment.

Factors influencing appropriate exercise levels include age, fitness level, health conditions, and personal goals.

Various interventions for improving physical activity levels include providing information, changing behavior patterns, social support, technology-based tools, and environmental changes.

Regular exercise can reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. It can even be comparable to therapy in alleviating depression.

Exercise can improve cognitive functioning in all age groups, potentially slowing Alzheimer's progression.

If you engage in exercise outside your usual routine, you're more likely to experience injuries.

While rare, it's mostly associated with underlying, undiagnosed cardiovascular problems.

Moderate exercise is recommended 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week or rigorous physical activity 20 minutes a day for 3 days a week.

Engage in 8 to 10 repetitions of strength training exercises at least twice a week.

Moderate exercise may be better than vigorous exercise for individuals with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods to raise awareness of the importance of physical activity and its benefits. Examples include mass media campaigns and point-of-decision prompts.

Simple cues placed in strategic locations to encourage physical activity, such as signs promoting stair use near elevators.

Strategies to help people change their habits and routines to incorporate more physical activity. Examples include educational programs, therapy sessions, and personal trainers.

The tendency to feel like a failure after a lapse in physical activity, making it harder to continue.

Creating physical environments that make it easier and more enjoyable to be active. Examples include enhancing parks and trails.

Lack of motivation, time constraints, injury, feeling overwhelmed, lack of enjoyment, and lack of social support.

Provide support, motivation, and understanding. Help them set realistic goals, find enjoyable forms of exercise, and address any barriers they're facing.