For Professional Audiences:
The Psychology of Weight Regulation
Overview: After a brief discussion of the scope of the obesity epidemic and the medical and dietary methods typically used for weight reduction, the presentation focuses on the psychology of eating (it’s not just hunger!), overcoming exercise avoidance, and developing a healthy body image regardless of weight. Throughout the workshop, specific methods will be described and guidelines for their implementation will be presented.
What Participants Will Achieve:
- Understand the scope of the problem and the ineffectiveness of traditional dieting strategies
- Learn the various reasons people overeat and methods to regain control
- Learn methods for helping overweight individuals become more active and have a better body image
- Take away questionnaires and handouts for use with their patients and client
Preventing Childhood Obesity
Overview: With childhood obesity reaching epidemic proportions in the U.S., it’s been suggested that this could be the first generation which will have a lower lifespan that previous generations. In addition to the health consequences, the 16% of children and adolescents who are obese will experience profoundly negative social and psychological consequences resulting from their obesity. After reviewing the epidemiology and consequences of childhood obesity, the workshop will present practical methods professionals working in health, educational, mental health and social welfare settings can use to treat and prevent childhood obesity.
What Participants Will Achieve:
- Understand the scope and consequences of childhood obesity
- Learn effective methods to communicate with parents about their children’s weight
- Understand the development of eating behavior in infancy, childhood, and adolescence and learn methods to minimize unnecessary weight gain
- Implement prevention programs that don’t stigmatize overweight children