Does lack of willpower explain obesity? What new report says
(CBS) Lack of willpower isn't the reason people overeat. That's the controversial message from researchers from Chicago's Rush University. They say people trying to lose weight should focus on methods that involve how the brain controls eating behavior, rather than the notions of personal choice and willpower.
"Counselors can help patients control their weight through strategies focused on the interaction between the brain and the environment, rather than the traditional approach of encouraging patients to simply ignore or fight food cravings and eat fewer calories," study author Dr. Brad Appelhans, a clinical psychologist and obesity researcher in the Rush University said in a written statement.
Typically doctors and obesity counselors tell patients to resist the urge from their unhealthy cravings, and pick up a healthier option - like ditching a chocolate bar for a celery stick dipped in peanut butter. Appelhans said that's not going to cut it.
"We know this approach rarely works - even highly motivated and nutritionally informed patients struggle to refrain from highly palatable foods that are high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats," he said.
Further, the researchers said that telling people they're obese because of their unhealthy choices stigmatizes them, and makes motivation to eat healthy much more difficult.
"Obesity is heavily influenced by genetic vulnerabilities and a toxic food environment," Appelhans added.
How does the brain interact with the environment when it comes to food? The researchers say it comes down to how food serves as a reward and activates a "reward circuitry" in the brain where people get pleasure from eating fatty foods. Also, the brain sees eating as a short-term reward, while losing weight offers the long-term rewards of a healthy lifestyle. People are wired to want the reward from the tasty cheeseburger sitting in front of them rather than the reward from not running out of breath walking up the stairs after three months of dieting. These factors contribute to obese people being unable to control their cravings.
How can they they break this brain cycle?
According to the researchers, they first thing they should do is remove fatty foods from their home and workplace - that takes the reward out of the environment, and out of mind. They should also shop from a grocery list or online, so food choices don't serve as a reward. Other techniques they mention include practicing stress management, since stress triggers overeating by enhancing the need for the food reward.
In order to control the motivation to eat unhealthily, skip out on buffets and restaurants, say the researchers. They also suggest people should focus on short-term goals, like cooking a healthy dinner a few times a week, rather than focusing on how they might feel in three months after a diet.
The report is published in the August issue of the Journal of the American Diabetic Association.
