PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES IN OBESITY: THE ROLE OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the psychological issues in obesity and the role of Clinical Psychology in the management of the disease. A holistic picture of obesity as a global problem/disease, the historical attitudes towards obesity, prevalence, risks, causes, psychological problems of obesity, and the roles of clinical psychologists in obesity management were highlighted and discussed. Available literature indicated that obesity is a global problem due to the prevalence and the implications of obesity on physical and mental health. World Health Organization in 1997 recognized obesity as a global epidemic with comorbid psychological issues. Findings from available literature have shown that high-socio economic status is implicated in the disorder. In view of the above, it becomes fundamentally imperative for clinical psychologists to be actively involved in the management of obesity. Therefore, this paper highlighted the roles of Clinical Psychologists in obesity management which include indebt Clinical Psychological Assessments of the psychological problems comorbid in obesity as well as, the Psychotherapeutic Techniques that could be used for an effective management of both the disease and the comorbid psychological problems. The paper therefore suggest that in planning any intervention programme either to sensitize or manage the existing problems of obesity, clinical psychologists should be actively involved for a holistic management of the condition.