Habitual Overeating Research Articles

Short and Long term effects of Overeating (Atimatrashan) on health and well-being: A Conceptual Study

Overeating is the excess food consumed in relation to the energy that an organism expends. Out of various eating disorders overeating from supersize meal portions is termed as Atimatrashan in Ayurveda. In Ayurveda great emphasis has been given on the ideal quantity i.e., ‘matra’ of Aahara which is customized according to individual appetite. While occasional overeating predisposes to various disorders manifested through impaired digestive function, Habitual overeating eventually leads to obesity. Obesity being a state of chronic inflammation predisposes to wide range of diseases including Metabolic syndrome and Cancer. In this context, this paper discusses the Ayurvedic concept of Tridosha Prakop (vitiation of all the three Doshas) with the resulting ailments and Aamvish which is said to be formed as a result of habitual overeating and is thought to be Vishsadrushya (highly toxic) and param asaadhyam (incurable).

Nutrition Habits of Polish Nurses: An Approach.

Background: Chronic stress, unlimited working time and the shift working system as well as sleep deficiency may lead to the occurrence of nutrition disorders among nurses. Aim: The aim of the paper was an assessment of the nutrition habits of nurses. It was an observational study conducted from June 2017 to May 2018 among nurses (n = 1080) in Silesia in Poland. Data was obtained using a range of questionnaires. Results: Body mass index (BMI) of the analysed nurses demonstrated overweight/obesity in 490 (45.5%) of them. Nearly all the diets of the analysed nurses (n = 1021; 94.5%) required improvement. Younger nurses (<31 years old) demonstrated a greater tendency to indulge in habitual overeating, and those having additional employment demonstrated poorer nutrition habits compared to those without additional employment. Conclusion: The analysed nurses made numerous dietary mistakes which, as a consequence, can lead to obesity. Emotional overeating was the dominant nutrition habit in the studied group of nurses. Nurses who were overweight/obese, nurses who had additional employment and younger nurses demonstrated tendencies toward improper nutrition choices, i.e., the tendency to overeat or restrain oneself from eating.

Emotional and habitual overeating and dietary restrictions in the eating habits of girls and boys.

Eating habits are mainly shaped at the first stages of human life. Incorrect eating habits in young individuals may in the future lead to eating disorders and predispose to abnormal body weight. The aim of the study was to investigate eating habits among adolescents and verify whether there are any differences in eating habits between girls and boys. The study was conducted among 337 post-primary school students, including 126 girls and 211 boys. A standardised questionnaire "My eating habits" was used as a research tool. Secret snacking was slightly more common among girls (27.78%) than boys (24.17%). It was also girls who mostly admitted that other people comment on their diet, as indicated by 33.33% of girls and 18.96% of boys. Girls are also more likely to be dissatisfied with their body weight (41.27% vs. 27.49%) and to occasionally avoid eating despite feeling hungry (42.06% vs. 27.01%) compared to boys. The eating habits of young people are mostly varied. There are differences in the d ietary habits of girls and boys; girls are more likely than boys to overeat under the influence of emotions and to apply dietary restrictions to themselves. In order to promote healthy eating habits and support the mental well-being of young people, it is recommended to provide nutritional education and to implement psychological support for those in need.

Meal-Related Acyl and Des-Acyl Ghrelin and Other Appetite-Related Hormones in People with Obesity and Binge Eating.

Potential mechanisms of abnormal food intake, such as dysregulation of meal-related appetite hormones, including acyl ghrelin (AG) and des-acyl ghrelin (DAG), were investigated among men and women with obesity, with and without binge eating (BE). Participants (n=42: 19 female, 23 male) were assigned to a liquid meal and water condition in counterbalanced order, and blood samples for measuring hormones were obtained before and after these conditions. Participants with BE had significantly lower fasting and postingestive AG concentrations than participants without BE in both conditions. During the meal condition, postprandial decreases in AG concentrations were significantly smaller for the BE group than for the non-BE group. There were no significant differences in DAG by BE group. Leptin increased significantly less after meals for those with BE compared with those without BE. There were no differences in other hormones by BE group. Fasting and postmeal hunger ratings were significantly higher for those with BE than for those without BE. In individuals with BE, lower fasting AG may be due to downregulation by habitual overeating, and a smaller postmeal decline in AG may contribute to overeating. Lower postmeal leptin concentrations may also contribute to overeating.

Neuropharmacology of compulsive eating.

Compulsive eating behaviour is a transdiagnostic construct observed in certain forms of obesity and eating disorders, as well as in the proposed construct of 'food addiction'. Compulsive eating can be conceptualized as comprising three elements: (i) habitual overeating, (ii) overeating to relieve a negative emotional state, and (iii) overeating despite adverse consequences. Neurobiological processes that include maladaptive habit formation, the emergence of a negative affect, and dysfunctions in inhibitory control are thought to drive the development and persistence of compulsive eating behaviour. These complex psychobehavioural processes are under the control of various neuropharmacological systems. Here, we describe the current evidence implicating these systems in compulsive eating behaviour, and contextualize them within the three elements. A better understanding of the neuropharmacological substrates of compulsive eating behaviour has the potential to significantly advance the pharmacotherapy for feeding-related pathologies.This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Of mice and mental health: facilitating dialogue between basic and clinical neuroscientists'.

Neuroscience of Compulsive Eating Behavior.

A systematic characterization of compulsivity in pathological forms of eating has been proposed in the context of three functional domains: (1) habitual overeating; (2) overeating to relieve a negative emotional state; and (3) overeating despite aversive consequences. In this review, we provide evidence supporting this hypothesis and we differentiate the nascent field of neurocircuits and neurochemical mediators of compulsive eating through their underlying neuropsychobiological processes. A better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that lead to compulsive eating behavior can improve behavioral and pharmacological intervention for disorders of pathological eating.

Pathological Overeating: Emerging Evidence for a Compulsivity Construct.

Compulsive eating behavior is a transdiagnostic construct that is characteristic of medical and psychiatric conditions such as forms of obesity and eating disorders. Although feeding research is moving toward a better understanding of the proposed addictive properties of food, the components and the mechanisms contributing to compulsive eating are not yet clearly defined or understood. Current understanding highlights three elements of compulsive behavior as it applies to pathological overeating: (1) habitual overeating; (2) overeating to relieve a negative emotional state; and (3) overeating despite aversive consequences. These elements emerge through mechanisms involving pathological habit formation through an aberrant learning process, the emergence of a negative emotional state, and dysfunctions in behavioral control. Dysfunctions in systems within neurocircuitries that comprise the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex result in compulsive eating behaviors. Here, we present evidence to relate compulsive eating behavior and addiction and to characterize their underlying neurobiological mechanisms. A major need to improve understanding of compulsive eating through the integration of complex motivational, emotional, and cognitive constructs is warranted.

Using psychological approaches for working with obesity and type 2 diabetes

Using psychological approaches for working with obesity and type 2 diabetes

Poor ability to resist tempting calorie rich food is linked to altered balance between neural systems involved in urge and self-control.

BackgroundThe loss of self-control or inability to resist tempting/rewarding foods, and the development of less healthful eating habits may be explained by three key neural systems: (1) a hyper-functioning striatum system driven by external rewarding cues; (2) a hypo-functioning decision-making and impulse control system; and (3) an altered insula system involved in the translation of homeostatic and interoceptive signals into self-awareness and what may be subjectively experienced as a feeling.MethodsThe present study examined the activity within two of these neural systems when subjects were exposed to images of high-calorie versus low-calorie foods using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and related this activity to dietary intake, assessed by 24-hour recall. Thirty youth (mean BMI = 23.1 kg/m2, range = 19.1 - 33.7; age =19.7 years, range = 14 - 22) were scanned using fMRI while performing food-specific go/nogo tasks.ResultsBehaviorally, participants more readily pressed a response button when go trials consisted of high-calorie food cues (HGo task) and less readily pressed the response button when go trials consisted of low-calorie food cues (LGo task). This habitual response to high-calorie food cues was greater for individuals with higher BMI and individuals who reportedly consume more high-calorie foods. Response inhibition to the high-calorie food cues was most difficult for individuals with a higher BMI and individuals who reportedly consume more high-calorie foods. fMRI results confirmed our hypotheses that (1) the "habitual" system (right striatum) was more activated in response to high-calorie food cues during the go trials than low-calorie food go trials, and its activity correlated with participants’ BMI, as well as their consumption of high-calorie foods; (2) the prefrontal system was more active in nogo trials than go trials, and this activity was inversely correlated with BMI and high-calorie food consumption.ConclusionsUsing a cross-sectional design, our findings help increase understanding of the neural basis of one’s loss of ability to self-control when faced with tempting food cues. Though the design does not permit inferences regarding whether the inhibitory control deficits and hyper-responsivity of reward regions are individual vulnerability factors for overeating, or the results of habitual overeating.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1475-2891-13-92) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Which facets of mindfulness are related to problematic eating among patients seeking bariatric surgery?

There has been growing research indicating the potential positive benefits of mindfulness-based interventions for obesity, but few studies have examined the relationship of mindfulness processes to obesity-related behaviors, particularly among clinical populations such as bariatric surgery candidates. The current study examined the relationship of specific mindfulness facets to a variety of problematic eating behaviors assessed through diagnostic interviews in a clinical sample of 820 patients seeking bariatric surgery. Results indicated that greater mindfulness on specific facets, particularly acting with awareness, was related to less binge and emotional eating. Greater mindfulness was also related, though less consistently, to less habitual overeating and grazing. The observing facet was generally unrelated to problematic eating, but in a few cases being more observant related to having greater eating problems. The results of the study and future directions are discussed in relation to research on problematic eating in obesity and mindfulness-based interventions.

Impulsivity makes one more susceptible to overeating after contextual appetitive conditioning

Animals are able to learn that specific contexts are associated with important biological events such as food intake by means of classical conditioning. Contextual appetitive conditioning might be a main determinant of habitual overeating in vulnerable humans. It was tested whether humans show conditioned responding (increased desire for food, salivation and food intake) to a context after repeated pairings of this context with intake and whether the personality trait impulsivity strengthens this contextual appetitive conditioning. Female university students received an appetitive conditioning training in a Virtual Reality laboratory. Participants learned to associate one context with intake (CS+) and another context with no intake (CS−). Conditioned responding was assessed during the training, and after the training conditioned intake was measured in the CS+ or in the CS−. Conditioned context-induced cue reactivity was demonstrated and the personality trait impulsivity predicted increased intake in only the intake-associated context. It is concluded that humans easily learn desires to eat in intake-related environments and that in particular more impulsive people are vulnerable for conditioned context-induced overeating. The learning of associations between specific contexts and intake might stimulate habitual overeating and in that way contribute to increased obesity prevalence.

Impulsivity makes more susceptible to overeating after contextual appetitive conditioning

Animals can learn that specific contexts are associated with important biological events such as food intake through classical conditioning. Very few studies suggest this is also possible in humans and contextual appetitive conditioning might even be a main determinant of habitual overeating in vulnerable humans. A Virtual Reality laboratory was used to test whether humans show conditioned responding (increased food desires and expectations, increased salivation and increased food intake) to a specific context after repeated pairings of this context with intake. It was also examined whether the personality trait impulsivity strengthens this contextual appetitive conditioning. Conditioned context-induced reactivity was indeed demonstrated and impulsivity predicted increased intake in only the intake-associated context. It is concluded that humans easily learn desires to eat in intake-related environments. The data also suggest that in particular more impulsive people are vulnerable for conditioned context-induced overeating. This relatively easy learning of associations between specific contexts and intake might stimulate habitual overeating and contribute to increased obesity prevalence.

Exis-tensions: Surviving theRed ShoesSyndrome in Margaret Atwood'sLady Oracle

As the earliest and most sustained of Atwood's attempts to examine the potentially deadly conflict between a woman's artistry and female identities, Lady Oracle has often been read as a text that must necessarily be considered alongside Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's influential film, The Red Shoes. Yet absent from previous analyses is a discussion of how this conflict is perpetuated though the female artist tradition, and how Joan Delacourt's habitual overeating indicates her self-destruction, rather than her self-empowerment, in the face of conflict. Moreover, while Joan's obesity aligns with the self-harm anticipated by what Atwood terms ‘the Red Shoes syndrome,’ her projecting her creative talents onto alternate identities can be read as a dissociative survival strategy that, for a time, permits her to maintain her divided identity as a woman artist. keep silent and avoid red shoes, red stockings, dancing. Dancing in red shoes will kill you. Atwood, Two-Headed In [the Victorian Period], a woman writer was a freak, an oddity, a suspicious character. How much of that sentiment lingers on today, I will leave you to ask yourselves … Atwood, ‘The Curse’

Exis-tensions: Surviving the Red Shoes Syndrome in Margaret Atwood’s Lady Oracle

As the earliest and most sustained of Atwood’s attempts to examine the potentially deadly conflict between a woman’s artistry and female identities, Lady Oracle has often been read as a text that must necessarily be considered alongside Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s influential film, The Red Shoes. Yet absent from previous analyses is a discussion of how this conflict is perpetuated though the female artist tradition, and how Joan Delacourt’s habitual overeating indicates her self-destruction, rather than her self-empowerment, in the face of conflict. Moreover, while Joan’s obesity aligns with the self-harm anticipated by what Atwood terms ‘the Red Shoes syndrome,’ her projecting her creative talents onto alternate identities can be read as a dissociative survival strategy that, for a time, permits her to maintain her divided identity as a woman artist.

Lifestyle risk factors for obesity in 7-year-old children

To evaluate the associates of obesity and overweight in 7-year-old children. Cross-sectional study. 855 children out of all 1278 school beginners in the city of Oulu, Northern Finland. A questionnaire to be filled in by parents was delivered by the school nurses to 1278 children. The child's eating habits, dietary intake and physical activity patterns were enquired about. There were also questions about the household and parents' level of education and physical activity. Overweight and obesity were defined by BMI according to internationally accepted criteria. The χ(2) test was used to evaluate the significance of the differences between normal and overweight children. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to find the most predictive variables associated with overweight and obesity. The final models are reported using odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). The number of responders was 855 (66.9%). The prevalence of overweight was 16.7% and that of obesity 4.9%. Fifty-seven percent of the parents who had an overweight or obese child 7-year-old did not recognise their child's overweight. The factors associated with obesity were: mother's obesity (OR 13.04, CI 2.81-60.53), low physical activity (OR 10.95, CI 3.28-36.50), skipping breakfast (OR 10.12, CI 1.81-56.63), habitual overeating (OR 9.35, CI 2.58-33.82), father's overweight (OR 5.89, CI 1.23-28.10) and mother's age over 40 years (OR 2.91, CI 1.09-7.80). This cross-sectional study promotes the importance of child's eating behaviour and family's eating patterns. Parents should be helped to recognise their child's overweight, and educational strategies should be targeted at both children and their parents. Avoiding inactivity is essential in preventing obesity in children.

Aspects of Eating Behaviors “Disinhibition” and “Restraint” Are Related to Weight Gain and BMI in Women

The causes of adult weight gain leading to obesity are uncertain. We examined the association of adult weight gain and obesity with subscales of eating behavior characteristics in older women. Current height and weight, eating behavior subscales (disinhibition subscales-habitual, situational, and emotional; restraint subscales-flexible and rigid; hunger subscales-internal and external) as assessed using the Eating Inventory (EI), and self-reported body weight at six prior age intervals were reported by 535 women aged 55-65 years. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between EI subscale scores and weight change from the age interval of 30-39 to 55-60 years and current BMI. The strongest correlate of weight gain over 20 years was susceptibility to overeating in response to everyday cues within the environment (habitual disinhibition; partial correlation coefficient (r) = 0.25, P < 0.001); susceptibility to overeating in response to emotional states such as depression (emotional disinhibition) was a quantitatively weaker but significant correlate (partial r = 0.17, P < 0.001), and susceptibility to overeating in response to specific situations such as social occasions (situational disinhibition) was not associated with weight gain. Flexible control of dietary restraint attenuated the influence of habitual disinhibition in particular on weight gain and BMI, and was less effective in attenuating associations of emotional or situational disinhibition. Lifestyle modification programs for prevention and treatment of adult-onset obesity currently focus on reducing situational and emotional overeating; the results of this study suggest that a stronger emphasis on strategies that target habitual overeating may be warranted.

Medical modelling of obesity: a transition from action to experience in a 20th century American medical textbook

Abstract Obesity is now the focus of considerable attention in the medical profession, and many have noted that obesity has been progressively medicalised. The subjection of phenomena to medical explanation, however, has been associated with both the potential to relieve and also to exacerbate the attribution of individual responsibility. In order to understand the ways in which a particular phenomenon, obesity, can be variously conceptualised at different time‐points within a medical framework, we conducted a content analysis of a series of medical textbook entries. Using the widely‐consulted Cecil Textbook of Medicine, we reviewed entries on obesity from 1927 to 2000 and found that throughout this period the text consistently maintains that obesity results from a simple excess of caloric intake over expenditure. Despite the unwavering nature of this basic model, an evolving set of causal factors is superimposed. Early models invoke aberrant individual activities, such as habitual overeating, while later editions drop these factors in favour of genetic and, paradoxically, environmental effects. Obesity shifts in ontological status, as it is transformed from being the product of something that individuals do to something that they experience. Concurrent with these changes, we find a change in the social appraisal of obesity. In each edition there is a narrative regarding the cost/benefit relationship between obese persons and society, as well as a construction of accountability for obesity as an outcome. Obese individuals are progressively held less responsible for their condition in successive editions of the text. Initially cast as societal parasites, they are later transformed into societal victims. Using these texts and obesity as a case‐example, we demonstrate that medical conceptualisation of a presumably cohesive object of knowledge can undergo transformation quite independently of definitive experimental evidence, with a persistent dialectic between etiological configuration and formulations of social culpability and remediation. We situate our findings with respect to ongoing debates concerning the nature and implications of medicalisation. This case effectively highlights a more general epidemiological tension between an individual level of focus on risk behaviours and a population level of focus that contexualises behaviours within a social and material framework.

Anorexia nervosa. Psychoneurotic characteristics of parents: Relationship to prognosis: A quantitative study

Using a standardised measure, the psychoneurotic characteristics of the parents of a consecutive series of female patients with primary anorexia nervosa have been examined in relation to those of a ‘normal’ population comaparable in age, sex and marital status. They have also been examined in relation to the treatment and six-month outcome of the illness in their daughters. Treatment initially involved restoration of weight back to matched population mean levels. Following such treatment the majority of parents became more ‘psychoneurotically’ disturbed and this was particularly so if the marital relationship was poor or the patient's pattern of illness included habitual overeating and vomiting. Six-month outcome for the patient's illness was importantly related to the initial levels of ‘psychoneurotic’ morbidity in the parents. The findings are briefly discussed.