Psychological Factors and Thinness

Plays psychological factors play a central role when a person with obesity begins and continues a weight-loss diet. An individual’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors can interfere with achieving weight-loss goals when ineffective coping strategies are used. For example, low-calorie diets that maintain adequate nutrition and support weight loss have been associated with improvements in mood and quality of life (Redman & Ravussin, 2011). However, calorie restriction that leads to deficiencies in macro- and micronutrients may cause negative psychological changes such as depression, anxiety, irritability, obsessive thoughts about food, and the development of an extreme mindset (Rao et al., 2008).

By recognizing the importance of psychological factors in dieting—factors that should be identified by a weight-loss specialist—patients with obesity can be helped to develop realistic dietary plans that promote psychological well-being and maximize success in weight loss.