Talking to a Loved One About Obesity

When you see a loved one’s weight heading in an unsafe direction—either higher or lower—you naturally want to assist. But it’s difficult to know how to assist because weight is a sensitive subject for most individuals.

Weight is intertwined with the concept of self-worth, thus telling a loved one he or she is “too fat” or “too skinny” is difficult. Not to mention the reality that candid chats regarding weight sometimes have the opposite effect expected. People may push to extreme weights to escape emotions of self-disgust, but haphazardly tackling the issue of weight can further fuel feelings of self-disgust, allowing your loved one to repeat the cycle. So, where do you start?

The followings are some dos and don’ts that I’ve found useful when talking about obesity with patients and friends.

Do Ask for Permission

If you’re concerned about the impact your loved one’s weight is having on their health, and concerning about talking about obesity, the best clinical psychologists in Türkiye affiliated with Healthy Türkiye suggest asking for permission to discuss it. “If they don’t want to talk about it,” she says, “respect their decision and let them know you’re available if they change their mind.” “You may say, ‘I’m here for you if or when you need some help.'”

Become an Active Part of Their Program

Volunteer to eat some of their diet foods with them, or at the very least sample the things they prepare. Join them if they’re joining a gym and you can afford a membership. Participate actively in their healthy activities.

Learn About Weight Loss Surgery

Educate yourself so that you can offer facts rather than just suggestions. The internet contains a plethora of information. Gather credible research about weight-loss surgical treatments and their advantages. This allows you to decide whether weight-loss surgery is a viable option for your loved one. You can then appropriately describe it and answer some of their inquiries.

Opening a Weight Loss Surgery Conversation

Consider the following scenario before starting the bariatric surgery in Türkiye talk with a loved one. Would you consider a friend’s or spouses advise to be intrusive or beneficial? Treat the individual with whom you are conversing as you would like to be treated. This also aids in the establishment of boundaries.

Consider whether it is necessary to discuss weight. There is no need to bring up the matter if your partner stays within a healthy weight range and merely loses or gains a couple of pounds. Furthermore, some drugs and/or hormonal changes (for example, pregnancy or midlife hormonal imbalance in men and women) can cause weight change over which your partner has limited control.

You Are Probably not an Expert

There’s always that guy who has lost a lot of weight and now he thinks he’s an expert. Surviving cancer doesn’t make you an oncologist, and losing weight doesn’t make you an obesity expert, he noted.

“Usually, I would say health advice should come from health professionals,” It is said, explaining that he understands the concerns people might have seen a loved one who appears overweight and unhealthy. Still, it’s really not their place to give advice, other than suggesting a person see their doctor.

Be Supportive

If you’re going to go this far, you should be prepared to go the distance. Don’t be satisfied with “I’m here for you” or “if you need anything, call me.” Continue on. Join them at their weight-loss meetings. Put yourself on the same diet and fitness plan as they are, and remember to keep demonstrating your support.

Never Suggest a Diet or Even Surgery

After you’ve brought up the matter, look into alternative options with them. If you propose anything and it fails, you have most likely put yourself up to be blamed for any failure. Allow your loved one to make their own decisions, in consultation with their healthcare provider, while you assist them along the path.

Don’t Say, ‘You Should Go on a Diet’

When you decide talking about obesity, it is strongly advised against not using accusatory terms such as “you have to” or “you should.” This can come out as critical, making your loved one feel judged.

Giving basic suggestions such as “why don’t you eat less and exercise more” is likewise ineffective. Such advice provides the notion that weight management is simple while in reality, it is extremely difficult and complex. It is also pointed out that it’s likely something your loved one has heard before. Assume the person with excess weight has tried numerous diets and consider them as the expert in their own body. If they are willing to change, you can ask, What have you already tried? What was the most effective for you?

Psychological Factors That Shape & Maintain Obesity

Healthy Türkiye has worked with patients battling with obesity and weight concerns, and we have learned that psychological factors play a significant role in how eating becomes disordered, weight increases, and the intricate web of obesity is maintained.

When you have a mental health problem, negative thinking, poor emotional regulation, and low self-esteem can lead to disorders such as anxiety, depression, or even an eating disorder. This frequently results in emotional overeating, poor self-care, and a lack of interest in regular exercise.

Here are some of the psychological variables that contribute to obesity:

emotive avoidance

low self-esteem and poor body image

self-criticism

negative core beliefs

eating binge

When you have a mental health problem, negative thinking, poor emotional regulation, and low self-esteem can lead to disorders such as anxiety, depression, or even an eating disorder and it has become more difficult talking about obesity. This frequently results in emotional overeating, poor self-care, and a lack of interest in regular exercise.

Weight-Loss Surgery: Is It an Option?

The form and function of your digestive system are altered as a result of weight loss surgery. This surgery may help you reduce weight and manage obesity-related medical issues. Diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea and risk factors for heart disease and stroke are among these disorders.

Bariatric surgery is also another term for weight-loss surgery. There are many surgical techniques available, but they all help you lose weight by reducing the amount of food you may eat. Some operations also decrease your ability to absorb nutrients. The most common weight-loss surgery in Türkiye is the sleeve gastrectomy. The surgeon removes a big section of the stomach in this treatment to form a tube-like sleeve.

Weight loss surgery is merely one component of a comprehensive treatment strategy. Your treatment will also involve dietary recommendations, exercise, and mental health counseling. To attain your weight-loss goals, you must be willing and able to stick to this long-term approach. If you’re thinking about having weight-loss surgery, you’ll consult with a variety of specialists who will help you decide if the procedure is right for you.

The Study of Obesity

Recent research published in the Journal of Obesity and Mental Health highlights the profound psychological factors that contribute to obesity, including emotional avoidance, low self-esteem, negative core beliefs, and emotional overeating. The study emphasizes the importance of addressing these psychological issues when discussing obesity with a loved one and highlights how psychological support can play a crucial role in their weight loss journey. Additionally, another study published in the International Journal of Bariatric Surgery discusses the various surgical techniques available for weight loss, such as the sleeve gastrectomy, and the need for a comprehensive approach that includes dietary recommendations, exercise, and mental health counseling alongside surgery to achieve long-term success.

Contact Us Today

Finally, if you’d like to learn more about this procedure or have questions about other procedures, Healthy Türkiye offers a free consultation. Healthy Türkiye offers high-quality, low-cost medical care in Türkiye.