(Newswire.net — September 30, 2019) — Although the BPS does not support the classification of obesity as a disease, as the World Health Organization does, it emphasizes that people should treat people with an unhealthy amount of pounds differently and that it is not the best solution to call them obese.
The report explains that obesity is more complex than a person’s lack of will to cope with being overweight.
Although obesity is caused by behaviors such as unhealthy habits, they do not always include choice or personal responsibility, the report said.
“The people who are most likely to be an unhealthy weight are those who have a high genetic risk of developing obesity and whose lives are also shaped by work, school and social environments that promote overeating and inactivity,” the report says.
BPS also points out that those living in deprived areas may be more prone to obesity because they may have limited access to healthy foods. In addition, those coping with major life challenges and traumas may be less encouraged to be physically active.
“Psychological experiences also play a big role,” the report continues, adding that half of adults who consult specialists in the field have experienced childhood discomfort.
The report refers to “emotional overeating” and says that those who are often on a diet may be more prone to overeating when they are most vulnerable.
Dr. Angel Chater, a certified psychologist at the University of Bedfordshire who also authored the report, said adult obesity in England had increased by 18 per cent between 2005 and 2017, with similar increases in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. This cannot be explained by the sudden loss of motivation across the UK.
The increase in obesity can be partly attributed to changes in the environment as well as food supply and physical activity.
“You might have the best willpower in the world, but if you don’t have access to the right food, the right environment, the best start in life… it will be tough,” Dr. Chater explained.
Sarb Bajwa, BPS chief executive, said it would be a good solution for the government to address the problem of obesity in a similar fashion as it does when it comes to smoking.
“We can help, not just by devising ways of helping individuals, but also by advising on public policy which will help create an environment in which people find it easier not to become obese in the first place,” Bajwa said.
Obesity is a global problem that can and must be addressed, because in addition to physical health, in both adults and children, it has a profound effect on the psyche of the individual.