Eating and Sleep Disorders

Facing the Obesity Epidemic
Rates of obesity are reaching epidemic proportions. Moreover, obesity is on verge of surpassing smoking as the number one cause of preventable death. Yet, there are relatively few good psychosocial interventions for obesity. Most individuals are successful losing some weight, only to regain it later. 

Describe the nature of obesity in more detail, including issues regarding whether obesity belongs in the DSM-IV-TR. Illustrate how psychological and behavioral lifestyle factors contribute to obesity. Below are links to help facilitate a discussion of this issue, including a link with a Body Mass Index Calculator (http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm). 

http://www.obesity.org/
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/bmi/index.htm
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/default.htm