Two days immersed in the academic world of Eating  Disorders and Obesity was an interesting experience.  While some of the presentations felt like i was walking with dinosaurs, others presented informed and coherent information, ie. it made sense with what traditional health practitioners would advice. Neither approach was right or wrong, some aligned more with my thinking than other parts.

Below are some key points i jotted down;

  • There are approximately 108 factors influencing weight (Obesity System Influence Scheme)
  • Dieting Does Not Work  (Studies undertaken 1959, 1991, 2007, 2013)
  • 50 years of research indicate Diets Don’t Work
  • Successful Dieters are extremely Rare
  • Dieting is like holding your Breath
  • We may not need to loose weight to be healthy
  • Weight and lifespan may not be connected
  • Hypothalamas is involved in eating disorders
  • Hippocampus is affected by stress
  • ED People try and control their world by what they do
  • Judgement is the opposite of understanding
  • Understanding leads to change
  • Eating Disorders – Anxiety are linked
  • Anxiety comes from the body
  • Steriods are the most used drug on the Gold Coast
  • Average users – 25-30 years old, White Collar Professionals. Do not play sport, Have no criminal record or arrsts
  • Food is a  source of support
  • Obesity is inflammation and involves guilt and shame
  • Addiction can be lose of control
  • Higher micro nutrient food instead of high energy foods
  • Weight – PSTD – child abuse -bi-polar – childhood sexual assault – perfectionism – wanting to please  ( there are connections)
  • Eating is a way of dealing with addictions
  • Father Daughter connection – when father is involved the outcome is beneficial, when he is not the outcome is devastating.
  • Fathers involvement with daughter  is linked to the child’s health- antisocial behaviour – strained relationship
  • Daughters feel safe when connected to fathers
  • Father/Daughter relationships connected with depression
  • Fathers negative attitudes were associated with Eating Disorders and depression
  • Caring – benevolent
  • Overprotection – Eating Disorders, depressive, body image issues
  • Avoidance – striving for things
  • Intimacy- Atonomy. = Insecurity
  • Intimacy + Atonomy = Security

the key point that shone through is that scientists are beginning the apprecate the value of the heart based therapy and the ability