As the figures for obesity continue to rise, it seems that a growing number of people are becoming more accepting of their condition.
A new study showed that people who are told obesity is a disease will be more inclined to continue eating calorie-loaded foods.
Since a medical label is being put on it, sufferers think they cannot control their weight, which puts them at a higher risk of getting bigger.
In the journal Psychological Science, researchers wrote: “Considering that obesity is a crucial public health issue, a more nuanced understanding of the impact of an “obesity is a disease” message has significant implications.”
Today’s figures show that more than a quarter of adults in the UK are obese and since the problem isn’t getting better, experts are saying that they will need to employ tactics similar to anti-smoking campaigns.
Tam Fry, of the National Obesity Forum, thinks that obese people “need a little person-to-person tender loving care and understanding before a qualified health professional gets round to telling them how crucial it is that they lose weight.”
Perhaps a bit of motivation is needed – thinking of the ‘perfect summer body’ could work.
