Indian Journal of Health and Wellbeing

Chandani Mehta ¹, Tara Singh ²

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, IN
2 Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

Global epidemic of obesity is one of the largest public health problems in the world. Obesity is related to a number of co-morbid conditions which lead to disability and early death. Failure to self-regulation, such as to make plans, choose from alternatives, control impulses, inhibit unwanted thoughts and regulate social behaviour, is considered as an important cause of obesity and related co-morbid conditions. The present study sought to examine the relationships of self- regulation skills, general health and weight conditions. Participants (Obese=29, Overweight=29, Normal weight=28) were administered the Self Regulation Scale (SRS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) to assess level of their self-regulatory skills and general health problems of people with different weight conditions. Results indicated that participants with higher weight conditions scored significantly lower on self-regulation and reported poor health. Also, obese participants displayed relative deficit in self regulation compared to overweight and normal weight participants. Overall findings revealed crucial role of Body Mass Index (BMI) in both self regulation skills and co-morbid psychological problems.

Keywords

Psychological Problems, Self-Regulation, Obesity.

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Chandani Mehta ¹, Tara Singh ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, IN

Abstract

The number of people around the world with greater than their ideal body weight is increasing. The notion of perfect body that media has been portraying for the past 4 decades is in contradiction with the epidemic of overweight and obesity globally. The presence of an imbalanced diet and sedentary life-style promotes overweight and obesity alongside with numerous other factors. Role of self-regulation, in this regard, is of great importance. An important cause of obesity is poor self regulation. Self-regulation enables people to make plans, choose from alternatives, control impulses, inhibit unwanted thoughts and regulate social behaviour. It has been found that due to low self regulation obese people face problem in controlling eating behaviour which results in overeating as well as high energy intake and less energy expenditure leading to excess weight gain. Although many proposals for this phenomenon have been put forth by the researchers, the underlying relationship between obesity and self regulation is not yet clear. Understanding this interaction of obesity and self regulation should help prevent and treat obesity.

Keywords

Self-Regulation, Obesity, Overweight.

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