The Biopsychosocial

Model of ObesityBy: Ayana Smith, Brian Summey & Jessica

Bumgarner

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2771638/

● Defined as being 20% over the normal range for a given height and weight.○ 35.5% of men and 35.8% of women in U.S. are

obese.● Body mass index (BMI) used to measure obesity

today.● One of the world’s greatest public health

challenges contributing to an increased risk for many chronic diseases.

● $190 billion a year in medical spending on obesity related problems.Buss, David M. (2011). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th ed.). Boston : Allyn & Bacon.

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Obesity

Obesity has negative physiological and psychological effects.

○ social stigma in many parts of world indicating the importance that many societies place on physical appearance.

○ overweight women are more likely to be depressed, even suicidal compared to their thinner counterparts.

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Negative effects of obesity

● Research shows that the view of obesity as a result of overeating is an oversimplification. o people who are overweight often

don’t eat more than their thin counterparts.

● Obesity is a complex phenomenon involving biological, social, and psychological factors in its causes and consequences.

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Biopsychosocial model

● Heredity● Destiny? Genetic vs. environmental factors● our brains are wired to love fatty, salty, and

sweet foods ❖ Epigenetics

➢ environmental triggers causing phenotypic variation.

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Youngson N.A., Morris M.J. (2013). What obesity research tells us about epigenetic mechanisms. Phil Trans R Soc B 368:

20110337. doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2011.0337.

Biological Factors

● culture● socioeconomic status● gender

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Psychosocial Factors

● Depressiono suppressed motivation

● Stress o eating behavior during midterms and

finals

Psychological Factors

● Food Cues/Stimulus

Flinders University

Social Factors

Social Factors

● limited access to health care services

● less knowledge about the importance of healthy diet & hazards of obesity

● less exercise● unhealthy food is much less

expensive than the healthy alternative.

Karnani, A., McFerran, B., & Mukhopadhyay, A. (2014). Leanwashing: A HIDDEN FACTOR IN THE OBESITY CRISIS.

California Management Review, 56(4), 5-30. doi:10.1525/cmr.2014.56.4.5

Why are less educated, lower SES people at risk for obesity?

● 500 million obese people worldwide (WHO)● 43 million children under 5 worldwide

overweight/obese (WHO)● 900 million people malnourished ● 1 out of 3 Americans obese (36%)● 66% American adults obese● Worldwide adults obese 37%● http://www.worldometers.info/obesity/

Statistics

● Dietingo How effective are diets?o Why diets fail?

● Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy● Fit Families, Fit CommunitiesFock, K. M., & Khoo, J. (2013). Diet and exercise in management of obesity and overweight. Journal Of Gastroenterology &

Hepatology, 2859-63. doi:10.1111/jgh.12407

Treatment and Prevention of Obesity

Buss, David M. (2011). Evolutionary psychology: The new science of the mind (5th ed.). Boston : Allyn & Bacon.

Fock, K. M., & Khoo, J. (2013). Diet and exercise in management of obesity and overweight. Journal Of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 2859-

63. doi:10.1111/jgh.12407

Karnani, A., McFerran, B., & Mukhopadhyay, A. (2014). Leanwashing: A HIDDEN FACTOR IN THE OBESITY CRISIS. California

Management Review, 56(4), 5-30. doi:10.1525/cmr.2014.56.4.5

Straub, R. (2014). Health psychology: A biopsychosocial approach (Fourth ed.).

Skelton, J., DeMattia, L., Miller, L., & Olivier, M. (2009, November 2). Obesity and Its Therapy: From Genes to Community Action. Retrieved

March 1, 2015

Power, M. (2011, October 3). Biopsychosocial Model for Obesity and Health Promotion and Prevention. Retrieved March 1, 2015.

Just give me the FACTS! (2013, November 1). Retrieved March 1, 2015.

Marker, L. (2014, June 3). Are We as Fat as We Think? Retrieved March 1, 2015.

Youngson N.A., Morris M.J. (2013). What obesity research tells us about epigenetic mechanisms. Phil Trans R Soc B 368: 20110337.

doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2011.0337.

References