It is known that eating behavior disorder plays a major role in the development of obesity. Uncontrolled weight gain and especially failure in diet attempts are closely related to the person's inability to control his eating behavior.
Since lifestyle change has an important place in obesity treatment, the need for behavioral therapy is increasing. The aim of this therapy is to make lifestyle changes, including healthy eating habits and exercise. The American Institute of Health has stated that lifestyle change is the first and most important step in obesity treatment.
Eating behavior is reinforced by the pleasurable properties of foods and their ability to reduce the feeling of hunger. Negative effects such as excess weight caused by overeating are defeated by the positive effects of taste and satiety. Exercise is also unattractive, especially for overweight and obese people, as it causes fatigue and discomfort. However, when continuity is achieved, positive results such as weight loss, improvement in health and being fit can be seen.
Basic motivation factors such as reinforcement and strengthening in daily life cause people to eat more and more, decrease their activity and ultimately cause obesity as a chronic problem. There are also various biological and environmental factors that reinforce these behaviors. Such as snacking while watching television and preferring rest instead of exercise after work.
Behavioral therapy for obesity is generally applied in groups of 10-12 people and in 1-2 hour sessions per week, for 12-20 weeks. This treatment In fact, it aims to make behavioral changes applicable throughout life.
Behavior therapy has 8 important components:
1- Self-observation: The patient is asked to record the type, amount and time of food he eats, with whom and where he eats, social factors and feelings. Physical activities are also recorded. The more detailed these records are kept, the more effective the behavioral therapy will be.
2-Warning check: High-calorie foods and beverages such as meeting with friends, watching matches on television, and Factors that trigger beverage consumption should be identified. problems These behaviors should be changed, and personalized plans should be made to establish healthy behaviors.
3-Control of eating behavior: Leaving the fork and spoon on the table between bites, before swallowing. Simple methods such as chewing thoroughly, preparing only one portion at each meal, taking a break in the middle of the meal, not paying attention to anything other than eating, and taking a break in between can be tried.
4-Reinforcement. and reinforcement: Methods such as providing support from family members and friends, establishing personal monitoring on a reward system, rewarding behavioral changes, choosing rewards only in the form of money, clothes or social activities, and eliminating food as a reward can be tried.
5-Cognitive restructuring: New ideas should be developed to counter the patient's ideas that negatively affect the weight loss process.
6 -Healthy nutrition education:This education should aim to provide a lifelong sustainable nutrition style. The restrictions offered under the name of diet have frustrated many patients. It should be aimed to gain a new eating habit instead of a diet.
7-Increasing physical activity: It should be aimed to measure and gradually increase physical activity with simple devices such as pedometers. Even moderate increases in physical activity will increase compliance with the program.
8-Behavioral contract: Realistic goals should be determined, and the contract should be based on behavioral change, not weight loss.
Sustainable behavioral changes should be targeted instead of short-term temporary successes.
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