Overweight
Nowadays, obesity is considered one of the major health problems of modern societies, becoming a matter of public health
It is a problematic that has been growing year after year, becoming even more difficult to fight since its causes became closely intertwined (social and environmental context, government policies).
As so, there is no simple, single or clear explanation for being overweight, which implies that the majority of overweight people constantly tries new solutions without great results and, especially, without lasting results.
Oficina de Psicologia has been developing several efforts to address this concern, at both levels of prevention and intervention.
how to approach overweight in an effective manner?
In a psychological evaluation, the fist step in an intervention is to collect all the relevant information in order to understand the history of the development of the overweight or obesity problem. The predisposing and maintenance factors are identified, which are handed to the patient in the form of a comprehensive evaluation of his/her problematic, which subsequently leads to a therapeutic plan. The common targets of such intervention are: sleep, emotional regulation, conscious eating, control of food impulses, ability to identify and satisfy emotional needs, definition of routines and priorities and the incorporation of physical exercise.
The intervention can be conducted individually or in group, resorting to some less common solutions:
- Therapeutic Intervention of Food Behavior based on a DBT approach (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
- Gastric Hipno Band (a gastric band virtually “placed" to deceive your subconscious)
- Specific mindfulness programms (a way of focusing the attention which allows, among other things, to sustain the need to act before a food impulse)
- Intervention of biofeedback instruments and neurotherapy
Obviously, psychotherapeutic intervention is combined with medical diagnosis, design of a food regimen and a physical activity plan according to your needs and life style, as well as treatment of any psychological change that may occur, that may establish itself as cause or consequence of being overweight.
If you would like to learn more information about Overweight treatments in Portugal, contact us through email, by calling +351 220 973 751, +351 211 379 718, +351 911 046 197, or by filling out our form. You can also contact us through our free call service to your right.
The real dimension of Obesity
- Worldwide obesity practically doubled since 1980
- In 2008, over 1.4 billion adults, aged 20 or more, were overweight. Among those, almost 200 million men and practically 300 million women were obese
- 65% of the world's population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kill more than malnutrition
- Overweight and obesity represent the 5th highest death risk worldwide. At least 2.8 million adults die every year as a result of being overweight or obese. Additionally, its major burden is diabetes, representing 44%, 23% for ischemic heart disease and between 7 to 41% for certain cancers, all related to overweight and obesity
- Over 40 million children under 5 years old were overweight in 2011.
Definition of Obesity
Overweight and obesity are defined as an excessive or abnormal accumulation of body fat that can harm your health.
The World Health Organization recommends the usage of the Body Mass Index (BMI), an index that relates height and weight to classify overweight and obesity in both gender adults. It is determined by dividing weight (kg) by height, squared (m2).
- IMC = 25 – 30: Overweight
- IMC > ou = 30: Obesity
- IMC= 18,5 – 25: Normal weight
- IMC < 18,5: Low weight
The higher the BMI, the higher the health and mortality risks.
Causes
The fundamental cause of overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between the amount of calories intake and the calories burned. But such imbalance comes from a complex set of factors:
- Genetic predisposition
- Metabolism
- Organic pathologies
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Eating habits
- Disturbances in eating behavior
- Inadequate strategies of emotional management
It is precisely due to the multiplicity of causes, often simultaneous, that Oficina of Psicologia approaches them systematically by promoting a partnership between different area professionals in order to conduct an integrated multidisciplinary intervention.
Obesity Risks
The impact of obesity in people's health is quite comprehensive, having multiple complications in physical illnesses and affecting psychological adjustment and social adaptation, with consequent loss of quality of life.
- Heart Diseases (Ex.: High Blood Pressure, Heart Failure)
- Metabolic Diseases (Ex.: Diabetes Mellitus type 2, High Cholesterol)
- Osteoarticular Complications
- Hormonal changes
- Depression
- Insecurity and social isolation
Doctors who perform this medical procedure
Dr. Nuno Mendes Duarte
Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist | Owner and Clinical Director of Oficina de Psicologia
University graduation in Psychology, Lisbon Psychology University, Portugal
Several international clinical trainings in renowned clinical approaches
Post-graduation in Cognitive-behavioral and Integrative therapy
Sound experience in several areas: clinical psychology, supervision, clinical training, multidisciplinary hospital team development and top management.
Drª. Madalena Lobo
Clinical Psychologist | Owner and CEO of Oficina de Psicologia
University graduation in Psychology, Lisbon Psychology University, Portugal
Several clinical trainings in Portugal, France and England
MBA, Marketing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Post-graduation in Financial Institutions Management, INDEG/ISCTE, Portugal
Over 35 years experience in several areas: clinical psychology, teaching, professional training, human resources management, contact centers management and top management.
