Introduction
Many people, especially women have been known to obsess over their weight. It has always been a relevant issue in today’s society on how they may maintain or lose weight. Failure to abide by these social constructs may lead to insecurities and other mental implications. It is as if, one’s self-worth is measured by their waistline and their self-esteem is heightened as their size drops. The incidences when one’s weight becomes a measure of self-esteem or self-worth is enough reason to study further on this issue. Weight stigma does not affect women in their early years alone, it may also affect anyone, including men of all ages in any country. Thus, it is only appropriate that studies be dedicated to probe the said issue and analyze relevant subject areas and factors at play. Most studies would focus on the effects of weight gain on one’s social life or relationships, but this study will take a perspective that is not taken as often—the effects of weight loss on an individual. Furthermore, it is important to note that this study will focus on the mental effects rather than on the direct health effects of weight loss. This study will likewise determine the effects of weight loss on an individual by an analysis of information from various credible sources. Hence, this study will not be opinionated but rather factual in nature.
Background of the Problem
Even ages ago, one’s appearance has been highly influenced by the society and the different forms of media around us. One dresses in a specific manner to follow a trend in clothing or fashion or speak in a manner that appeals to the society. Magazines and celebrities often dictate the next trend and one’s comfort is often challenged. The society establishes social constructs that pressures many to abide. The same is true for one’s weight. Many studies had related one’s mental state or emotional being to one’s weight.
Moreover, according to the World Health Organization, one’s mental health is the state by which individuals are able to realize their own potential and has the ability to shoulder the stresses in life. Being mentally healthy also means that one is productive, able to make contributions to the community and is free of any mental disorder such as depression, addiction, learning disabilities, or any other mental illnesses that affect one’s ability to function in the society in some ways (2014). Weight loss, on the other hand, is defined as the voluntary (due to diet and exercise) or involuntary (due to illness) decrease in one’s body weight (“Definition of Weight Loss,” n.d.). Moreover, this study will only consider voluntary weight loss.
It is a widely accepted assumption that losing weight by dieting may make one at a higher risk of developing bulimia nervosa or bulimic pathology. This assumption has not been proven in a scientific level, but is likewise relevant to this study (Presnell & Stice, 2003). Furthermore, there have been studies that survey the relationship between depression and obesity. Many believe that being obese makes one prone to depression due to the risk of being bullied or under the fat stigma. However, studies are still to relate depression with obesity as the effects vary greatly (Dixon, J., Dixon, M. & O’Brien, 2003). Being overweight, had likewise been proven to lower self-esteem, and make an individual at risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or binge eating. Current studies also emphasize that these effects are due to the pressure of the modern culture and the oppression against those who are deemed undesirable by certain constructs (Mills, 2005). One’s self-esteem has direct effects on one’s mental health and it may be an indicator of mental health. What is known are the effects of gaining weight, but little interest is shown on the effects of weight loss. Thus, this study will probe the effects of weight loss on the psychology of individuals by an analysis of information from academic studies.
Theoretical Foundations and/or Conceptual Framework
Among the theories that are involved with weight loss are the identity theory and the theory that weight loss has positive psychological or mental effects to an individual. The identity theory can provide a framework to assess the concepts of self-esteem on one’s weight. The identity theory, in relation to self-esteem, suggests that self-esteem is necessary for self-verification that may be accomplished within the society (Cast & Burke, 2002). On the other hand, the theory that weight loss has positive psychological or mental effects to an individual are found to be true by many studies (Lasikiewicza, Myrissab, Hoylandc & Lawtonb, 2013). Furthermore, other studies showed that these positive effects are not significantly relevant (Jackson, Steptoe, Beeken, Kivimaki & Wardle, 2014). All theories may serve as a foundation for this study as they provide a direction for the study. Likewise the variables that should be measured, with regards to the theories, are the levels of self-esteem and mental health (depression inclination, bulimic pathology, etc.).
Review of Literature Themes/Topics
Previous studies revealed that weight loss do not only affect the well-being of an individual on the physical aspect. Rather, there are other components which are also being influenced while an individual undergoes physical changes brought about by weight loss. Using the variables mentioned in the previous sections of the paper, weight loss will be linked with different factors which will contribute to the effects of such activity to mental well-being of an individual.
Self-esteem
Self-esteem can be related to self-satisfaction: It means that the overall self-esteem of an individual might depend on the degree of achievement that he attained when an activity is being pursued and accomplished. Aside from meeting the necessary requirements when a certain task has been accomplished, Cast and Burke (2002) reported that self-esteem can also be included as the outcome of that finished task. When a task is finished, the psychological aspect becomes active in a way that the individual does not only feel relaxed and relieved of duties, but there are also signs of motivation, as it is their way to prove their worth, especially in group activities and team effort, or even in the eyes of the public (Cast & Burke, 2002).
With this, self-esteem can be directed to the way people think about themselves. Studies showed that being overweight and obese has negative impacts on the psychological well-being of an individual. Negative self-esteem is an issue among overweight individuals, because they felt that they were being looked down by other people (“Can Weight Loss Improve Mental Health?” 2011). Also, some of them tend not to socialize with others, and do stress-eating as a response, which resulted in additional weight gain (Mills, 2005). This statement only showed that the negative feedbacks of the society about obesity, and the habits of people in dealing with the issue, are proven to significantly contribute to the overall self-esteem of individuals.
Mental health
In relevance with their self-esteem, other people are extremely affected by being overweight or obese, which resulted in their depression (Berenson, 2014). According to a study made by Dixon, Dixon, and O’Brien (2003), depression will most likely affect people, especially women of younger age. The statement only proves that being overweight is a huge factor for such psychological condition. In addition, depression does not help alleviate the condition of obesity and being overweight, but depression only worsens the condition, as depressed people opt to eat more when they are in that state (Jackson et al., 2014). Also, being depressed would mean that people are less motivated to do something like weight loss activities and as a result, depressed people are find it difficult to overcome obesity.
As the weight of individuals increases to the point that it reached the normal range, the amount of body fat in the body increases as well. A recent study suggested that body fats affected brain activities, and consequently contributed to developing mental disorders (Sifferlin, 2014). Formation of bellies is shown to be signs that stress hormones are being produced in the body, and those stress hormones are deeply connected to hunger hormones, which urges an individual to eat more as stress-reduction solution (Sifferlin, 2014). The study only showed that becoming overweight is difficult to overcome, because the body sends more signals of hunger as body fat increased, which leads to the conclusion that obesity is a threat to both physical and mental well-being of individuals.
Problem Statement
There are studies that probe the mental effects of weight loss on individuals. However, people remain uninformed, thus little is known. Moreover, the relationship between weight loss and one’s self-esteem are yet to be established. In addition to this, there are also many proponents of the theory that losing weight is good for one’s mental health. Furthermore, reading on the effects of weight loss may lead some to read sources that have provided conclusions poorly. Thus, this study will analyze relevant information that came from reputable sources in order to establish a body of knowledge that may be important to many since almost everyone in the society today aims to lose weight.
Research Questions and/or hypothesis
There are two main research questions in this study. Research Question 1: Is there a relationship between weight loss and one’s self-esteem? Research Question 2: Do weight loss affect one positively? In essence, does losing weight decreases the risk for eating disorders and depression? Furthermore, this study will be directed by the hypothesis that there is a significant relationship between weight loss and one’s self-esteem. Moreover, this study will also be under the hypothesis that weight loss affects one’s mental health in a positive way, that is, it decreases the risk for depression and other eating disorders.
Significance of the Study
This study will be able to add to the pool of knowledge of correlating weight loss to one’s mental health and self-esteem. This does not only provide individuals an overlook on what to expect after voluntarily losing weight but may be used to device approaches in ripping all the positive mental effects possible when losing weight.
Rationale for Methodology
This study will probe on studies that had been conducted in the recent years. This methodology will not only allow a centralized analysis of various data, but will likewise disclose conflicts in many research studies. One study may conclude a statement opposing of another and this study may survey the reasons or the factors that could have influenced the differences in their conclusion. Thus, not only does this study offer a multi-perspective approach, but may also link previous studies.
Nature of the Research Design for the Study
The research will be an analysis and review of previous research studies. In order to answer the research questions, a synthesis of previous related works is highly recommendable because there are several research articles which are reliable and peer-reviewed. The content of the articles will be thoroughly reviewed so that comparisons will be made especially on the second part of the hypothesis where depression and mental disorders are discussed. Furthermore, reviewing previous articles will determine possible conflicts among research studies and from those findings, the references will be synthesized and this paper will provide the most reasonable conclusion.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this analytical study is to determine to what extent voluntarily losing weight is a factor in one’s level of self-esteem and mental health condition such as being at risk for depression or bulimic pathology.
Instrumentation or Sources of Data
Since the data needed will be previous research articles, the possible sources of data will be academic journals so that the articles will be reliable and highly reviewed. Also, the needed articles will either be from internet database or printed articles, as long as they are cited by previous researchers.
Data Collection Procedures
At least 15 peer-reviewed articles are needed for the research study. Specifically, five research studies from 1991 to 2000, five research studies from 2001 to 2010, and five research studies from 2011 to the present time must be used as references. The range of years of the articles is specified so that the difference between the findings can be clearly seen and analyzed if there were changes and improvement. Also, the articles must be under the provisions of academic journals to preserve the quality of the studies. The articles must be related to the research questions so that they will provide the needed data for the study.
Data Analysis Procedures
Data that will be collected in this study will be subject to careful analysis or synthesis. This synthesis involves the use of sources that are connected in some ways and formulate a whole from valuable elements. Studies that reached common conclusions will be grouped accordingly and categorized further into subcategories. Doing so will provide a clearer overview of the available knowledge regarding the research study. Lastly, categories that conflict will be weighed according to the manner by which the researchers had arrived at their conclusions.
Ethical Considerations
A survey of published studies reduces the risk of potentially violating ethical issues. Data from studies are the concern of this study and human subjects are not part of this study. Furthermore, possible issues that may be faced upon completion of this study is that if this study objectively disprove the hypothesis that weight loss promotes mental health, how would people concerned in the field respond? If this study proves the alternative hypothesis that weight loss puts one at more risk of mental degradation, how would the medical community balance out the importance between one’s physical and mental health.
References
Berenson, T. (2014). Losing Weight Could Make You Depressed. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://time.com/3092086/weight-loss-depression/
Can Weight Loss Improve Mental Health? (2011). Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/weight-loss-memory-improvement/
Cast, A., & Burke, P. (2007). A Theory of Self-Esteem. MUSE, 80(3), 1041-1068. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
Definition of Weight Loss. (n.d.). Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=53393
Dixon, J., Dixon, M., & O'Brien, P. (2003). Depression in Association With Severe Obesity Changes With Weight Loss. JAMA Internal Medicine, 163(17), 2058-2065. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
Jackson, S., Steptoe A., Beeken R., Kivimaki, M. & Wardle J. (2014). Psychological Changes following Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study. PLOS One.
Lasikiewicz, N., Myrissa, K., Hoyland, A., & Lawton, C. (2014). Psychological benefits of weight loss following behavioural and/or dietary weight loss interventions. A systematic research review. Elvesier, 72, 123-137. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
Mills, H. (2005). Psychological Consequences of Being Overweight. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/psychological-consequences-of-being-overweight/
Presnell, K., & Stice, E. (2003). An Experimental Test of the Effect of Weight-Loss Dieting on Bulimic Pathology: Tipping the Scales in a Different Direction. American Psychological Association, 112(1), 166-170. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
Sifferlin, A. (2014). This is What Weight Loss Does to your Brain. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://time.com/3181911/this-is-what-weight-loss-does-to-your-brain/
World Health Organization. (2014). Mental Health: A State of Well-being. Retrieved February 13, 2016, from http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/mental_health/en/
