Directive Art Therapy and Food Addiction: Motivational Interviewing and Adjunctive Art Therapy in Obesity Management Programs

Abstract

Obesity is a physical illness that has reached epidemic levels within Canada 24.5% of the population is classed obese without an agreed upon attributed psychological cause (Public Health, 2011). This causes significant stress on both those that suffer from it as well as the health system that support their treatment plan. Obesity management programs lack patient compliance for many psychologically based issues such as poor self image and weight bias (Puhl & Heuver, 2009). Due to the broad nature of obesity research, cause origins, and definitions of terminology this literature review focuses on the investigation of obesity caused by Food Addiction (FA), as outlined in the Yale Food and Addiction Scale and food-related STROOP test. Obesogenic environments as an additional factor are evaluated from an Ecological Systems Viewpoint. The primary addictions model examined is Motivational Interviewing, which is currently showing progress in obesity management (Armstrong et al., 2011; Limbers et al., 2008). Art Therapy has been shown to be an effective adjunctive approach when used in conjunction with MI. By reviewing existing research on MI as an FA treatment alongside existing research on the benefits of adding art therapy to MI models, an argument for the inclusion of art therapy in an FA MI model is developed. Although alternative and qualitative in nature, this research allows for a tangible look at ways to promote patient/client adherence to weight management programs that have been shown to be effective when followed as recommended by the patients primary care physician. Further, problems that have been outlined as obstacles by patients will be shown to be accessible through the utilization of art therapy (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). Additionally, promising preliminary studies have been produced that examine art therapies unique role in obesity management through body image work (Anzules, Haenni, & Golay, 2007).