Fear Being Fat? Obesophobia

Phobia of Fat?

The fear of being fat is a persistent, abnormal fear of putting on weight. It’s almost redundant to say that this fear is far more common in Western cultures with their emphasis on being thin, having a model’s stick-figure and a decided focus on dieting to the extreme.

Obesophobia affects those people who have a desire to lose weight to the point that there is a compulsion to avoid any food that might lead to increased body fat or weight. It is a case of “the more, … the more” where the more the foods are avoided the more the fear grows.

And in case you are wondering, obesophobia may be linked with anorexia nervosa which is the eating disorder that afflicts millions of people world-wide in their quest to be thin.

For the obesophobe, there is a desire for perfection that is evidenced in a belief that failure has occurred if weight is gained. This too is similar for an anorexia or bulimia sufferer who often wants to be the perfect weight, the perfect size, the perfect shape and also get perfect grades.

Check this out on Bulimia Treatment

Unfortunately, the more that weight is lost, the more under-nourished that the person becomes, than the more that logical thought is compromised and the harder it is to break the cycle of malnourishment.

What Causes Fear of Being Fat?

The cause of obesophobia is similar to that of most phobias: environmental, evolutionary and neurobiological factors have pulled together to impact negatively on the afflicted individual.

Environmental factors may include: some external traumatic experience, peer pressure, media pressure, or family pressure, lack of support or instability in one’s life, worrying about the death of someone significant from an obesity-related illness or the death of someone from an obesity or weight-related complication. Additionally, there is the cultural aspect of thin being ‘cool’ which is at odds with most (and not all) fast-food chains and their fat-stacked take-away foods.

Evolutionary factors may include genetic influences, and role modelling by other family members.

Neurobiological factors may include: the individual’s ability or otherwise to cope with stress, nutritional deficits leading to lower levels of endorphins and “happy hormones”, and the impact of trauma and its subsequent emotional chaos.

What are the symptoms of Obesophobia?

I think the obvious one is worrying about food constantly, and not just a food, but all food and whether it will put on weight.

There can also be an obsession with exercise to ensure that weight gain does not occur, a fear of gaining any weight, and many rules that must be followed. These rules may relate to many other areas of life and not just food. They can include rules about clothing, rules about eating in private and never being seen to eat in public; rules about dating; rules about work; and even rules about seeking a doctor’s help. This latter rule can be phrased as, “I only see a doctor if I can’t get out of bed” in order to prevent that doctor from urging the person to eat more.

There can also be other things like perceiving that they are fat, that they over-eat all the time, that restriction leads to perfection and denial of hunger makes them happy.

At this point, the obesophobe may also have full-blown anorexia or bulimia and seriously needs to seek help.

What help is available for Obesophobia or Anorexia?

If you or someone you know has these symptoms it is strongly recommended that professional help is sought immediately from your doctor and psychologist.  With this illness, the earlier that help is obtained, the easier it is to attend therapy and the converse applies. The longer that the person has experienced obesophobia or anorexia, it is considered that the therapy will take much longer to bring about a positive response.

Take a look at this treatment for Anorexia

Treatment Modalities for Obesophobia

Usually there is a combination of cognitive behavioural therapy and psychotherapy so that thoughts can be reconfigured, emotional responses rewired and relaxation techniques learnt to reduce anxiety.

Some individuals also go on to anti-depressant or anxiolytic medication as they may be depressed and/or anxious in addition to having this fear of gaining weight, or anorexia or bulimia.

Systematic desensitization can occur through gradual exposure to the phobia, and this emphasises modification of the individual’s response to what they fear. Behavioural modification has its roots in behaviour therapy which would attempt to shape a more relaxed, that is, a less challenging reaction in the face of the feared phobia.

To sum up, fear of being fat is a phobia which can lead to an eating disorder, but it does not always do this, and help is available.

Lose Weight Without Dieting?

What if you could? No diets, and feel comfortable and satisfied with small amounts of food…

According to Sheila Granger who pioneered the Virtual Gastric Band Weight Loss hypnosis technique, it is entirely possible and her trials indicate a 95% success rate. And, you will be working with a Clinical Hypnotherapist (17 years’ experience) who personally attended Sheila Granger’s training!

Really? Whoever thought dieting was delightful?

The Virtual Gastric Band is a non-surgical hypnosis technique which uses powerful mental suggestions to retrain you to be satisfied with smaller amounts of food. You easily change how you think about food and the results are very safe. The clinical hypnosis process convinces your mind that your stomach is full after a certain amount and that there is no need for more food.

This is NOT a diet. Research has proven that diets only work in the short term. The Virtual Gastric Band allows you to eat what you want, but you will only eat smaller serves of food. Diets cause people to focus completely on food, calories, restrictions, and counting and generally people feel hungry, restricted, miserable and resistant and this is what causes them to go off the diet. Because you are not on a diet, you won’t feel deprived and you will have a long-term solution to weight problems.

The actual surgical procedure carries risks from the anaesthetic and surgery. It is also very expensive, to the order of $10,000 to $15,000. The band itself can cause problems by cutting into the stomach and becoming infected. And the surgical procedure doesn’t control the craving for food or feelings of hunger, it justs stops you from eating more than a spoonful at a time. There can also be lengthy delays if you are on a waiting list. The Virtual Gastric Band can be undertaken quickly and easily, without all of those risks or huge expense and no on-going medical treatment.

We all know about the power of the mind to achieve results. Ask any elite athlete and they will tell you that the mind is 95% responsible for successful outcomes.

In summary, for those who Commit to this program:

• No diets and especially no more yo-yo dieting
• Eat what you want in three meals a day and feel satisfied and comfortable
• Usual and healthy weight loss of .5kg to more than a kilo a week (Varies for each individual and is not guaranteed)
• This is a long-term solution to weight problems without shakes, calorie controlled serves or protein bars or… well, you get the picture

Who Is This VGB Program Suitable For?

It’s suitable for those who are a little overweight to those who are obese. Perhaps you only want to lose 5 kgs or maybe drop a dress size, then yes, this program is for you. On the other hand, if you and your body are suffering, then this is the perfect program for responsible, easy and consistent weight loss without dieting.

Great Benefits That Others Have Achieved:

Anorexia, Bulimia Stats

According to the Department of Health and Ageing (Australian govt) website:

“Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions involving intense anxiety and preoccupation with body weight and shape, eating and weight control.

One in 100 adolescent girls develops anorexia nervosa, and five in 100 develop bulimia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness, with approximately 15-20 per cent dying within 20 years.”

Eating Disorders can be helped.

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Eating Disorders – Anorexia

I’ve been busy on the writing front, and now there is a new page on Anorexia Nervosa, that covers the symptoms and suggests some ways of helping someone with anorexia.

I’ve also made available an MP3 audio file on deep breathing, so that anyone can learn to relax and feel comfortable with her/himself, something we all need to do.

I’d love some feedback, so read on here