DIETING FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Weight loss diet starts with the best intentions. However, there is overwhelming proof that extreme dieting results into long lasting mental health problems in women. The following article makes sure that women, who diet for losing weight experience issues that are closely associated with addictive behaviours that could actively be avoided by shifting the focus to well being and health, rather than to achieve the “ideal body.” Shaped by the so called social standards.
SEARCH OF A PERFECT BODY AND DIETING:
Modern society brings up a search for the perfect body. Now standard ideal is super thin and now, imposed on this, is the need to be physically and mentally fit. People seek the ideal, not only because of expected health benefits, but because of what the ideal idealises in our culture (self- control, success, acceptance). Two assumptions are made about body weight and
shape. One is that the body is infinitely malleable, and that with the right combination or diet an exercise, every person can reach the ideal. The second assumption is that big rewards await the person who achieves the ideal. A theorist gave an objectification theory that women live in a society where body is sexually objectified and they are forced to look at their body through other people perspective which leads to regular body monitoring and shame and anxiety
MENTAL BEHAVIOURS ASSOCIATED WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Millar (2020) tells a story of Emma, who is an Irish woman, who lost roughly 200 pounds over 2 year time period. During the first year her weight loss journey, Moreover her states that Emma says her weight loss as “intoxicating” because of the large amount of positive comments and feedbacks from friends, family members, and strangers who dally complimented her on her weight loss. However, the external good compliments quickly turned into a double edged sword when the good comments started to decrease According to the writer, this story is an important reminder of how rapid weight loss can cause addictive behaviours that are dangerous for ones
mental health
HOW WEIGHT LOSS CAN BOOST MENTAL HEALTH?
It is no secret that if you a loosing weight for yourself, despite any societal pressure ,especially in women ,reaching your target desired weight brings a confidence boost.People become a total different person after achieving their desired weight targets.It boosts our confidence in so much ways.And when a women feels confident ,they can do anything, they can change jobs ,change their way of dressing, it is basically a whole series of changes in their life .So weight loss can have positive effect as well ,but when one do it for themselves and not for others or to meet the societal standards.Weight loss also helps to reduce depression ,it helps in improving self esteem ,improved body image and improvement in the quality of life.However it is very important to realise that change of this nature can bring up difficult challenges along the way.It is worth considering the mental adjustments that women need to make along the way
CONCLUSION
In conclusion the untiring search for the “ideal body” combined with the external appreciation women often receive as a result of weight loss causes behaviours that are closely related to addiction. Replacing the result of weight loss with well-being and focusing on good health instead of body image is a potential solution that poses to overcome such behaviours. However, further research into the root cause of mental health issues as a product of dieting is needed to develop an effective solution to this problem.