Body Image and Weight Loss

By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

I can’t think of one person I know – man or woman – who is not critical in some way of their own body. The concept of a positive body image is foreign to many people – especially those trying to lose weight.

An interesting study caught my eye. The study took a closer look at positive body image and other self-esteem issues in overweight women. As part of a structured 30-week weight loss program, two groups of women (about 100 in each) were studied. The control group received standard diet and activity advice only; the intervention group received the standard information, plus sessions on positive body image, emotional eating, and overcoming personal barriers to weight loss.

Now the good news! Not only did the women in the intervention group become less critical of themselves and less concerned about body shape – they were better able to self-regulate and lost an average of 7% of their starting body weight after one year compared to less than 2% of weight lost by the control group.

This is one great example of the mind-body connection to weight loss! Do you have others to share?