Is dieting a dirty word?

I’m frequently challenged on why I work in the area of weight-management, particularly in the area of weight-loss. I’m told, ‘encouraging dieting is a form of fat-shaming’, ‘dieting doesn’t work’, and ‘you are reinforcing cultural ideals about size and appearance’.

There is some truth in these statements.

• ‘Sizeism’ is a very real and damaging concept.

• Some diets don’t work and there are a multitude of reasons for this, but overall they do if they are adhered to.

• We are definitely surrounded by subtle and overt messages dictating the ideal body shape and weight.

However, according to clinical studies there’s more to consider here:

• Being overweight is linked to a variety of diseases and is a significant risk factor for conditions such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes. As average weight increases (a government report cites that around three quarters of those aged 45-74 are overweight or obese for example) so does the prevalence of these diseases.

• Being overweight can affect self-esteem, social engagement and a lead to a reduced sense of well-being as people compromise on the places they go, the clothes they wear and the lifestyle they want for themselves.

• In some cases these issues can lead to mental health problems, for example a meta-analysis highlighted how being overweight and feeling depressed can be reciprocal – someone who is overweight is more likely to be at risk of depression, and someone who is depressed is at risk of overeating.

These are some of the reasons for my interest in this area, and indeed, it is because so many clients come to me with issues relating to their weight that we created this second website to accompany www.psychologyandlifestyle.com

People tend to think of weight-gain as being their fault, and although we need to take some responsibility it is important to acknowledge the influence of the world around us. The way we live has changed dramatically leading to a concept know as ‘passive obesity’ which refers to the availability of food, the rise of fast food joints, ever-increasing numbers of restaurants, pub grub, the manipulative advertising campaigns and marketing ploys, the strategies supermarkets use to tempt us, and so it goes on.

Add to that changes to working patterns, different shopping practices, labour-saving devices and the fact that most of us spend a great deal of time in front of one screen or another and it’s not hard to see how these environmental drivers are making weight gain so common.

These points highlight how damaging it is to locate the cause of weight gain solely in the individual. However, becoming aware of societal factors can help us gain insight and recognise where we are being seduced, manipulated, and therefore where we can make some changes.

The point is, the possible advantages of gaining control so that you are the one directing the ship are endless. To name a few:

The joy of looking your best

Sleeping like a baby

Increased mobility and flexibility

Protection from many diseases

A sense of good self-mastery, discipline and control

Greater social confidence

Feelings of well-being and better mental health

Freedom from the continual pre-occupation with weight and food

And so dieting is not a dirty word. Accompanied by a healthy mindset it can bring significant positive changes. Whether you follow a specific diet or make adjustments over time or do nothing at all is of course entirely your affair. Whatever you decide for yourself, make sure it’s a choice and not a consequence of a lack of knowledge or awareness of the continual environmental factors we face.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich