Health News: Obese people who attended a non-judgemental and personalized lifestyle modification program that focus on changing behaviors and improving relationship with food improved their emotional regulation, heart and mental health during just 10 weeks.
Worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. Overweight and obesity are associated with an increased risk of dying from heart disease. and type 2 diabetes. People with obesity have poor emotional regulation and blame others for their situation, which prevents them from accessing healthcare and advice. Also, they engage in emotional eating and feel too self-conscious to exercise. Strict diet plans never work for them. So, researchers thought of alternative coping strategies (based on a patient’s triggers), all within the context of their job, caring responsibilities, external stresses, and so on.
Researchers reviewed data from 1,122 participants between 2013 and 2019 to analyse the impact of a community-based, lifestyle modification programme (10-week Croí CLANN or Changing Lifestyle with Activity and Nutrition) on the physical and mental health of people living with obesity referred from a specialist bariatric service at Galway University Hospital. This programme has no diet or meal plan, and no foods are excluded.
Participants attended a 2.5-hour session each week for 8 weeks. It includes 30 minutes for personal goal setting, followed by 1 hour exercise led by the physiotherapist, and then 1 hour health promotion talk on healthy eating, reading food labels, stress management techniques, cardiovascular risk factors, and making and maintaining changes.
Weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, fitness, and levels of anxiety and depression were measured for each patient before and after the intervention. Parents were provided with activity trackers and food diaries to identify triggers for emotional eating.
Results showed that participants lost weight and achieved benefits in anxiety and depression and physical measurements including blood pressure. Researchers observed improvements across all psychosocial and health outcomes during a relatively short period. Focus on emotions is key to improving heart health and well-being in people with obesity.
To Know More You May Refer To:
European Society of Cardiology. (2021, June 17). Focus on emotions is key to improving heart health in people living with obesity. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 22, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210617082738.htm
