Obesity

Christine L. B. Selby, PhD, is an associate professor of psychology at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, and a licensed psychologist in a part-time private practice.

• Series ForewordAcknowledgmentsIntroductionGuide to Health LiteracyCommon Misconceptions about ObesityQuestions and AnswersDefinitions1. What is BMI, and how is it measured?2. What are the different BMI classifications, and how many Americans fall into each one?3. What is binge eating disorder (BED)?4. What is yo-yo dieting?5. What is metabolic syndrome?6. What are the "thin-ideal" and the "muscular-ideal"?7. What is anti-fat bias?8. What is the fat acceptance movement and Health at Every Size®?Causes and Risk Factors9. What lifestyle factors can contribute to obesity?10. What part does genetics play in whether or not someone is obese?11. Are there other biological factors that contribute to obesity?12. How can repeated dieting impact an individual's weight?13. How can socioeconomic status affect weight?14. How does race/ethnicity affect weight?15. How does age affect weight?16. How does food availability affect weight?17. What role do medications play in an individual's weight?18. What medical conditions might affect someone's weight?19. Do obese people lack willpower?Consequences20. What diseases are linked to obesity?21. What mental health issues are linked to obesity?22. How does obesity affect one's relationships with family and friends?23. What are the costs to society at large due to obesity?24. Do insurance companies change healthcare coverage depending on whether or not someone is obese?25. Do obese people live shorter lives?Treatment Options26. What lifestyle changes can someone make who is obese?27. What types of counseling or psychotherapy are used to treat obesity?28. How effective is counseling or psychotherapy in treating obesity?29. What types of medications are used to treat obesity?30. How effective are weight-loss medications?31. What are the different types of weight-loss or bariatric surgery?32. How effective is bariatric surgery?33. Should someone who is obese pursue treatment of their obesity if they are not experiencing any adverse health effects?Social Stigma, Acceptance, and Prevention34. What effect do anti-fat bias and discrimination have on the emotional health of an obese individual?35. How do anti-fat bias and discrimination affect the healthcare of obese individuals?36. What effect do anti-fat bias and discrimination have on children's academic performance?37. What effect do governmental programs and campaigns have on obesity?38. What responsibility do public services have to accommodate people who are obese?39. What effect do weight-loss–related television reality shows have on obesity?40. How are schools addressing obesity and the bullying of obese children?41. Does pursuing the culturally expected body type affect obesity?42. What effect do "love your body" campaigns have on obesity?43. Should obesity be considered a disease?Case StudiesGlossaryDirectory of ResourcesIndexAbout the Author