In the mid- to late 1800s, only the wealthy struggled with overweight and obesity, reports Kerry Segrave, author of "Obesity in America, 1850-1939." By 2009, less than one-third of American men and women were at a healthy weight, according to the Trust for America's Health. Although each person has her own personal reasons for trying to shed pounds, some common denominators exist among dieters.
Appearance
Right or wrong, the prevalence of pictorial media on the Internet, in movies, on television and in print can influence your decision to change your appearance by losing weight. In addition to the desire to looking as fit and slim as models and actors, you could be dieting part because of a poor body image. If you struggle with your weight even if you are a normal size, you may benefit from behavioral therapy.
Health
Dieting for health-related reasons can give you an incentive to succeed at your diet, become aware of intuitive hunger and improve your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. A June 2005 study in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" found that participants in a group focused on health and intuitive eating -- eating when hungry and stopping when satiated -- stayed with the program longer and maintained their weight more successfully than those who followed a traditional diet plan. As you diet, discuss the health benefits of weight loss, such as improved coronary function and mobility, with your doctor to help you stay motivated.
Fertility Improvement
Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome often have difficulty conceiving due to hormonal imbalances. A December 2009 study in the journal "Fertility and Sterility" indicated that, according to early data, a diet with a reduction of calories may help PCOS sufferers with conception. Other fertility reasons to diet include recommendations from the March of Dimes that advise women to achieve a normal body mass index, or BMI, before attempting a pregnancy to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications.
Habit
You may diet because you have dieted for years. You may feel as though you should be constantly dieting due to family or cultural expectations, according to the non-profit website Beyond Hunger. A habit of dieting may be hard to break if you generally move from one diet to another. If attempting to break the dieting habit, consider switching to a diet based less on calorie consumption and one more focused on consuming the correct balance of nutrients, such as eating four to five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, two servings of low-fat meats, small servings of healthy fats, 2 to 3 cups of fat-free dairy and five to six servings of whole grains each day.
References
- "Obesity in America, 1850-1939: A History of Social Attitudes and Treatment"; Kerry Segrave; 2008
- Trust for America's Health; F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010; June 2010
- University of Oregon; Body Image; Brooks Morse and Sue Orchard; 2010
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Size Acceptance and Intuitive Eating Improve Health for Obese, Female Chronic Dieters; Linda Bacon et al.; June 2005
- "Fertility and Sterility"; Treatment of Obesity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Position Statement of the Androgen Excess and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Society; Lisa J. Moran et al.; December 2009
- March of Dimes; Get Ready for Pregnancy; March 2008
