There´s no doubt that obesity is a global epidemic and a health priority. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that obesity contributed to roughly 400,000 deaths in 2004 (a 33 percent jump from 1990) and contributes as much as $93 million to the nation´s yearly medical bill. While the causes of obesity are varied and often unclear, one link is certain: Overeating leads to obesity. And, emotions often lead to overeating. In fact, experts estimate that 75% of overeating is caused by feelings and using food to cope with emotions.
"Emotional eating acts as a way of using food, usually comfort food, to cope with emotional ups and downs. We eat when we´re lonely, sad, bored, angry, grieving, frustrated, afraid --- believing that that it will fix whatever's wrong," says Marie Apke, Senior Vice President of Bensinger DuPont & Association, a leading provider of employee assistance programs. "However, because the roots of emotional eating are not physical, we should address the situation from a behavioral and psychological perspective ---- not from focusing on dieting and portion control."
Apke points out that in its work with employer groups, BDA has seen a surge in the volume of calls made to its EAP that relate to eating disorders, obesity, and other health-related issues in which there is often a mental health component. "Reaching out to an EAP is an individual´s first step in getting the psychological help they need to address the problem. As trained experts, EAP counselors work with individuals to uncover the emotions that are fueling their behavior --- and then get them the behavioral help they need to deal with and manage these emotions."
According to the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center web site, there are several ways to distinguish between emotional hunger and physical hunger:
Emotional hunger comes on suddenly; physical hunger occurs gradually.
When you are eating to fill a void that isn't related to an empty stomach, you crave a specific food, such as pizza or ice cream, and only that food will meet your need. When you eat because you are actually hungry, you're open to options.
Emotional hunger feels like it needs to be satisfied instantly with the food you crave; physical hunger can wait.
Even when you are full, if you're eating to satisfy an emotional need, you're more likely to keep eating. When you're eating because you're hungry, you're more likely to stop when you're full.
Emotional eating can leave behind feelings of guilt; eating when you are physically hungry does not.
Bensinger DuPont & Associates is a privately owned professional services company that is dedicated to promoting healthy outcomes for employees, the workplace, individuals and their families through a wide range of consultation, training and counseling services. For additional information, Marie Apke can be reached at 1-800-227-8620.
Cindy Kazan
Communi-K, Inc.
969 West Jonathan Lane
Milwaukee, WI 53217
414.352.3535
FAX: 414.352.2331