Satisfying Hunger

It’s no surprise to me the developed world’s obesity epidemic continues to grow regardless of science, research and diet plans. For generations, we have attacked this problem from a calorie expenditure point of view (calories in vs. calories out) to determine what foods people need to eat to correct this disorder. This approach has failed to reverse this disease/condition, yet continues to be the most utilized method to address people overweight and obese.

Science and research has taught doctors about hormone regulation and the imbalances that lead to altered brain messages regarding hunger and fullness. Nutritionists and Dietitians have developed new protocols to follow to improve satisfying nutritional needs of the body. Health clubs have expanded with lower monthly fees making structured exercise more cost affordable. What have these improvements yielded?

RISING OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY RATES.

Maybe it’s time we expand our approach beyond calorie expenditure, food intake and exercise and begin addressing a factor less tangible, but equally important:

EMOTIONS!

There are no studies quantifying emotions as a CAUSE of weight problems. If we evaluate lifestyles today we see:

• longer working hours with fewer breaks including fewer traditional lunch breaks

• both parents working while raising families

• lower wages and salaries

• increased rates of debt

• fewer vacations

• 24 hour news

• increased sedentary time (often eating) in front of TV’S and computers

• marriage problems

• increased rates of behavioral issues among children

• fast food and processed food accessibility replacing home prepared meals

• reduced sleep

• decreased self worth and self esteem

To believe solutions to weight problems can be found without properly identifying and addressing the emotional component will continue to result in failure. 70% of the U.S. population takes prescriptive medications. The top three are (1) opioids (pain killers,) (2) anti-depressants and (3) antibiotics. This helps quantify a large segment of our population suffers from ongoing PAIN; (from physical suffering, mental suffering or sickness.) These are physical and emotional experiences requires FIXING (not simply medicating) to create long term solutions.

In my opinion, food becomes the most readily available cost effective answer to providing temporary relief to so many people living with CHRONIC EMOTIONAL PAIN. “Satisfying hunger” from this perspective provides a better explanation why our population has been unsuccessful reversing the obesity epidemic. Government and businesses will never accept the role and responsibility to address the bullet points listed above. Unfortunately, it becomes the responsibility of the individual suffering these emotional pains to seek support. Similar to other lifestyle changes, this approach can only work if the person is willing to commit themselves entirely to the process. The average person is likely to need guidance and support. I would encourage searching support organizations on the internet that provide experience, knowledge and emotional support to helping those with limited resources to achieving better emotional balance.

As this new lifestyle approach helps address the emotional pains, the ability to address other relevant subjects including nutrition and exercise becomes more palatable. The need to satisfy (emotional) hunger continues to exist, however, the path of satisfaction now turns to constructive attitudes and actions rather than destructive ones. Increased energy, greater clarity, better emotional feelings are all results of this new lifestyle. Healthy nutrition and exercise begin satisfying the needs of BOTH body and mind.  They become tools that motivate and inspire positive behaviors rather than additional time consuming chores increasing anxiety and depression.

Is it time to break the vicious cycle that has consumed your life for all these years? Is it time to regain control and discover the underlying happiness that exists under your pile of emotional baggage? Only you can make the conscious decision to take action. There are LONG TERM SOLUTIONS; they just don’t exist in pill forms or capsules.

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Tags: diet, disease, emotions, happiness, health, lifestyle, nutrition