Body image is a difficult issue for a lot of people , but Drs. Mike Roizen and Mehmet Oz believe they've found a way to improve poor self-images. Look in the mirror, they advise - but instead of saying or thinking something negative, focus on a physical feature that you like.

"It's not just wishful thinking: Changing the words can actually change the negative feeling behind them. In fact, just three sessions of this 'mirror exposure therapy' worked better than professional counseling in improving a group of women's self-esteem, body image concerns and even depression."

Another tactic that works well is weightlifting. Women who completed a 12-week weightlifting program reported feeling more confident about and satisfied with their bodies, regardless of whether they lost weight as a result of the sessions. Source: Seattle Post-Intellingencer

Labels: body_image, positive_messages, feelings

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A teenage boy sits in his car and eats an entire pizza before driving home. He's feeling anxious and out of control, so he overeats; afterward, he feels bloated and ashamed.

"Losing weight is not a cure for binge-eating disorder, as the problem is driven by emotions rather than pounds. Research shows that while gastric bypass surgery may help people lose weight, it doesn't cure binge-eating disorder."

According to the American Journal of Psychiatry, cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most effective treatment for binge-eating disorder, though certain medications can help as well. Read more at Fredericksburg.com.

Labels: emotions, binge_eating, feelings

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In recent years, studies have found that about 42 percent of first- through third-grade girls want to be thinner, and 81 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat. These thoughts are serious and potentially dangerous for young kids.

"The cute mice of a new storybook, 'Full Mouse, Empty Mouse: A Tale of Food and Feelings,' are foot soldiers in a budding campaign led by medical professionals, like author and clinical psychologist Dina Zeckhausen, who contend the scourge of eating disorders in North America should be addressed at the earliest age."

Zeckhausen's book is part of a larger initiative called "mindful eating" that seeks to teach kids about the connections that should and shouldn't exist between emotions, food, and body image. Read more at Statesman.com.

Learn more about Mindful Eating at WeightLossCentral.org.

Labels: emotions, feelings, young_girls

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