The (theoretical) diet wars

The kind of diet wars I'm talking about are the ones between competing theories of weight management.

What's the best explanation of weight changes, and the best basis for developing effective treatments for weight problems?

Before trying to answer this question, let's present the major players: Today, these are the biological, psychological and environmental.

The biological approach to obesity is very active, with huge efforts being made to understand and manipulate the pathways of energy metabolism and body composition. New drug treatments for obesity are sure to arrive on a regular basis.

Much of the psychological research on weight regulation has turned to a cognitive model, examining perceptual processes and reactions to cues related to food, dieting, and weight. The idea is to see how much cognitive processes are influenced by various situations, foods, emotions and hunger state.

Environmental research focuses on how features of the physical and social environment influence eating and exercise behaviour.  For example, examining geographical prevalence rates for overweight and obesity provides clues about underlying lifestyle differences.

A theoretical approach that has been underappreciated in recent years focuses on conscious, goal-directed action and self-regulation.  How do different attitudes about weight, weight loss, eating and exercise influence weight regulation?

Conscious efforts to control one's weight are certainly influenced by biological, cognitive and enviromental factors.  In other words, if a person decides to lose weight, improve habits, get fitter, etc., their biology, mental programming and environment will either support or undermine the achievement of the goal. 

That's just common sense...!

Some people will decide to lose weight and change their lifestyle and keep working at it, practicing, reflecting, strategizing, implementing and so on, and ultimately achieve all or most of their goals.  But others will not practice, will not be persistent and will not achieve their goals.  Weight management is just like other things in life!

The average person cannot hope to run like Usain Bolt or swim like Michael Phelps, but can learn to run and swim much more proficiently than before with persistent practice and self-analysis. So too, a person who is determined to lead a healthier lifestyle and maintain a lighter weight can do so, with persistent practice and learning, regardless of biology or environment. This means that, within reason/reality, we all have the capability of learning, change, self-improvement.

So, is there a winner of the theoretical diet wars?  Of course not, as these are all valid perspectives and all have something to offer.  We can use these theories to change internal or external factors influencing eating, exercise and weight.

Let's not forget, however, that when studying the "micro" (e.g. chemistry) not to neglect the "macro" (e.g. attitudes)...

Stephen Stotland, Ph.D.