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Optimism hinders weight loss

Mon, Sep 09 2009

Obese individuals who are happy and optimistic are believed to be less successful in losing weight and slimming programs, a new study finds. Previous studies had reported that some negative emotions have positive effects on behavior modification, helping patients care more about their lifestyle and disease.

According to the study published in BioPsychoSocial Medicine, happy-go-lucky individuals are less likely to succeed in slimming programs. Negativity, conversely, helps individuals to worry more about their health and appearance, and subsequently lose weight.

While having a 'free child' ego is associated with assertiveness and optimism slows down the weight loss program, successful weight loss needs a cautious 'adult' ego which is more responsible.

"The positive aspects of the FC ego state involve controlling negative emotion and are related to the ability to look on the bright side and do things in one's own style, while the negative aspects are not caring about disease and giving in to temptation because of optimism, as well as instinctive and impulsive behaviors," scientists said.

Scientists concluded that being too optimistic lowers ones ability to stick to a diet whereas negative emotions positively influences ones behavior, helping him/her lose weight.

“It is important to enhance patients' self-effectiveness and self-control in order to reduce psychological stress and to maintain the weight loss”, said the authors.