The Biobehavioral Study Of Eating And Weight
KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is called acceptance-based behavioral treatment. The scientific term is not as important as the theory.
Why?
Well, when it comes to losing weight, scientists writing in the Journal Obesity say that this behavioral approach can have a major role in helping people achieve their goals.
The key is helping people learn skills to self-regulate for so-called biological predispositions. Some examples of biological predispositions include a drive to consume high-calorie food and the understanding that certain cues are associated with poor diet: some examples of these cues are the presence of unhealthy food, television, anxiety and boredom.
The researchers from Drexel University found a 36% clinically significant improvement in weight loss with behavioral interventions through promotion of self-regulating eating and activity skills.
One key part of the diets was learning skills, which included ability to tolerate urges, cravings, and negative emotions and attempts to show people that pleasure does not have to be associated with food.
