The purpose of the present study is to compare a "traditional" behavioral therapy approach (based on selfcontrol techniques) with a previously unresearched "contextual therapy" for the treatment of overweight. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to a discussion of a variety of relevant behavioral techniques, an evaluation of them, and a discussion of a contextual model for the treatment of overweight.

Thesis advisor: Maureen E. Kenny / Recent research suggests that eating disorders exist across genders, races and ethnicities (e.g., Smolak & Striegel-Moore, 2001; Striegel-Moore & Smolak, 2000; Talleyrand, 2002, 2006; Taylor, Caldwell, Baser, Faison, & Jackson, 2007; Thompson, 1994, 1996), but most findings and frameworks within the eating disorders literature are based on research with White women who engage in restrictive eating patterns. Given the rapid rise in rates of obesity and related illnesses in the United States — particularly among Black American women (e.g., Hedley et al., 2004), an understanding of overeating that accounts for race-related factors is needed. By exploring the relationship between perceived racism, racial socialization, perceived stress, and overeating patterns among Black American women, the current study sought to develop a model of disordered eating that accounts for the unique contextual, emotional, and behavioral factors in the lives of Black American women. Using a sample of Black American women (N = 201), the results of the data analysis revealed that perceived racism was related to overeating by way of perceived stress. This finding supports theories that race–related factors underlie the development of eating disorder symptoms (e.g., Harris & Kuba, 1997) and that perceived racism may be a significant etiological factor in the development of eating disturbances among Black American women (Mastria, 2002; Root, 1990; Smolak & Striegel-Moore, 2001; Thompson, 1994, 1996; Talleyrand, 2006). This finding also adds to the larger body of literature, which links perceived racism to a range of negative psychological, behavioral, and physical outcomes (e.g., Mays et al., 2007). Racial socialization was not found to have a significant moderating effect in the relationship between perceived racism and overeating, but was unexpectedly found to be related to disinhibition around food. Although the explanation for this finding is unclear, it is consistent with some evidence that that identification with Black American culture may promote greater levels of comfort regarding food (Talleyrand, 2006; Villarosa, 1994). / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology.

This qualitative study is based on the reality that disordered eating such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive overeating resulting in obesity represent a major and growing problem in community health. Treatment models using cognitive behavioral therapy suggest that those diagnosed with an eating disorder tend to judge themselves in terms of their body shape, weight, and eating habits. However, the recovery rate for those treated for an eating disorder that only addresses those three issues identified above is less than 60%. A number of quantitative studies have provided evidence that other maladaptive schema may contribute to bulimic and anorexic behaviors. Fewer studies have addressed this issue in relationship to compulsive overeating resulting in obesity. This collective case study further explored and identified other maladaptive schema associated with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and compulsive overeating resulting in obesity that interfere in the long term recovery. This case study will allow the participants to express thoughts and emotions surrounding their disordered eating in their own voices. This collective case study provides evidence that persons diagnosed with disordered eating have carried early life events into adulthood and that these events have created maladaptive schema which may be interfering in their recovery process.

Thesis (M.A.)--Miami University, Dept. of Psychology, 2007. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 39-45).

Introdução: O ambiente fetal é atualmente bem reconhecido pela sua importante contribuição à saúde e influência na predisposição a doenças crônicas como obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes mellitus tipo 2, ao longo da vida. Indivíduos nascidos com restrição de crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), especialmente do sexo feminino, em geral, apresentam preferência por uma dieta menos saudável, o que pode contribuir para o maior risco de doenças crônicas nessa população. A relação maternal de baixa qualidade na infância está associada a maior risco de desenvolver distúrbios psiquiátricos, como ansiedade e depressão, assim como obesidade na adolescência. Além disso, a sobreingestão alimentar emocional (definida como comer em resposta ao estímulo emocional ao invés de sentimentos de fome) está relacionada com o excesso alimentar, aumento do consumo de doces e gorduras e sobrepeso. É possível que crianças nascidas com RCIU sejam mais sensíveis a variações ambientais como o cuidado materno, e que a interação entre estes fatores seja capaz de modular o comportamento alimentar nestes indivíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar a interação entre a RCIU e o cuidado materno na sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma análise preliminar de uma coorte canadense de nascimentos (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment – MAVAN). As avaliações do crescimento fetal foram baseadas na razão de peso ao nascer. Aos 48 meses de idade, foram aplicados o Questionário do Comportamento Alimentar Infantil (CEBQ) e filmada a interação mãe-criança durante uma tarefa estruturada (GESU), na qual as duplas são instruídas a reproduzir a imagem de uma casa, em conjunto, utilizando o brinquedo Etch-a-Sketch (Conhecido como Quadro Mágico, no Brasil). Utilizouse a escala “atmosphere” (ATM) da GESU, que avalia a atmosfera geral de toda a sessão por meio de uma escala que varia de 1, “muita discórdia e conflito, nenhuma expressão de sentimentos positivos” até 9 “Muito harmoniosa, agradável, pacífica, sem conflitos ou expressão de sentimento negativos”. Nessa fase, foram avaliadas 195 crianças. Um modelo de regressão linear, ajustado pelo IMC e separado por sexo, foi realizado para avaliar a correlação entre a RCIU e o escore de cuidado materno, aos 48 meses, no sobre-consumo emocional medido pelo CEBQ, considerando significativo um P <0,05. Resultados: Não havia diferenças entre RCIU e não RCIU na distribuição de sexos, educação e renda maternas, nem no escore “Atmosphere” do GESU. O modelo de regressão linear foi significativo para meninas (r2=0,204, p=0,012) com efeitos isolados do IMC (B=0,076, p=0,048) e da ATM (B=-0,229, p=0,019) na sobreingestão emocional. Além disso, vimos uma interação entre BWR e ATM (B=0,881, p=0,038), no qual meninas restritas e com pior escore ATM (pior qualidade de interação com a mãe) têm maior sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Nenhum efeito foi visto em meninos (r2 =0,012, p=0,331). Conclusão: A qualidade da interação mãe-filho parece ser um importante modulador da sobreingestão emocional em meninas, especialmente aquelas nascidas com baixo peso, aos 4 anos de idade. / Introduction: The fetal environment is nowadays well recognized for its important contribution to the long-term health and influence in the predisposition to chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), especially females, demonstrate a general preference for a less healthy food choices during development, what could contribute for the increased risk for chronic disease in this population. Low maternal care in childhood is associated with increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as obesity in adolescence. In addition, emotional overeating (defined as eating in response to the emotional stimulus rather than feelings of hunger) is related to excessive food consumption, an increased sweets and fats intake and overweight. It is possible that children born with intrauterine growth restriction are more sensitive to environmental changes such as maternal care, and the interaction between these factors are able to modulate feeding behavior in these individuals. Objective: Investigate the interaction between intrauterine growth restriction and maternal care on emotional overeating at 4 years old children. Methods: This is a preliminary analysis of a Canadian Birth Cohort (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment - MAVAN). The study sample included 195 children from the city of Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton, Ontario. The IUGR assessment was based on fetal growth ratio of birth weight. At 48 months of age, mothers complete the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the mother-child interaction was filmed during a structured task (“Etch a sketch”) for posterior scoring of the maternal behavior, in which the pairs are instructed to reproduce a house image together using the Etch-a-Sketch toy. We used the scale "atmosphere" (ATM) of GESU, that characterizes the general atmosphere during the play activity through a scale ranging from 1, "a lot of disagreement and conflict, no expression of positive feelings" to 9 "Very harmonious, pleasant, peaceful, without conflict or negative feelings expressed". A linear regression model adjusted for BMI and split by sex was built to analyze the interaction between the ATM score and the birth weight status (IUGR or not) on the emotional overeating domain of the CEBQ. Results: There were no differences between IUGR and non-IUGR in the distribution of gender, maternal education and income, or the ATM score of GESU. The model was significant for girls (r2=0.204, p=0.012) with isolated effects of BMI (B=0.076, p=0.048) and ATM score (B=-0.229, p=0.019) on emotional overeating. Moreover, there was an interaction between IUGR and ATM (B=0.881, p=0.038), in which IUGR girls with worse ATM scores have increased emotional overeating at 4 years of age. No effects were seen in boys (r2=0.012, p=0.331). Conclusion: The quality of mother-child interaction seems to be important to prevent emotional overeating and overweight in girls, especially those born IUGR, at 4 years of age.

Introdução: O ambiente fetal é atualmente bem reconhecido pela sua importante contribuição à saúde e influência na predisposição a doenças crônicas como obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes mellitus tipo 2, ao longo da vida. Indivíduos nascidos com restrição de crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), especialmente do sexo feminino, em geral, apresentam preferência por uma dieta menos saudável, o que pode contribuir para o maior risco de doenças crônicas nessa população. A relação maternal de baixa qualidade na infância está associada a maior risco de desenvolver distúrbios psiquiátricos, como ansiedade e depressão, assim como obesidade na adolescência. Além disso, a sobreingestão alimentar emocional (definida como comer em resposta ao estímulo emocional ao invés de sentimentos de fome) está relacionada com o excesso alimentar, aumento do consumo de doces e gorduras e sobrepeso. É possível que crianças nascidas com RCIU sejam mais sensíveis a variações ambientais como o cuidado materno, e que a interação entre estes fatores seja capaz de modular o comportamento alimentar nestes indivíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar a interação entre a RCIU e o cuidado materno na sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma análise preliminar de uma coorte canadense de nascimentos (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment – MAVAN). As avaliações do crescimento fetal foram baseadas na razão de peso ao nascer. Aos 48 meses de idade, foram aplicados o Questionário do Comportamento Alimentar Infantil (CEBQ) e filmada a interação mãe-criança durante uma tarefa estruturada (GESU), na qual as duplas são instruídas a reproduzir a imagem de uma casa, em conjunto, utilizando o brinquedo Etch-a-Sketch (Conhecido como Quadro Mágico, no Brasil). Utilizouse a escala “atmosphere” (ATM) da GESU, que avalia a atmosfera geral de toda a sessão por meio de uma escala que varia de 1, “muita discórdia e conflito, nenhuma expressão de sentimentos positivos” até 9 “Muito harmoniosa, agradável, pacífica, sem conflitos ou expressão de sentimento negativos”. Nessa fase, foram avaliadas 195 crianças. Um modelo de regressão linear, ajustado pelo IMC e separado por sexo, foi realizado para avaliar a correlação entre a RCIU e o escore de cuidado materno, aos 48 meses, no sobre-consumo emocional medido pelo CEBQ, considerando significativo um P <0,05. Resultados: Não havia diferenças entre RCIU e não RCIU na distribuição de sexos, educação e renda maternas, nem no escore “Atmosphere” do GESU. O modelo de regressão linear foi significativo para meninas (r2=0,204, p=0,012) com efeitos isolados do IMC (B=0,076, p=0,048) e da ATM (B=-0,229, p=0,019) na sobreingestão emocional. Além disso, vimos uma interação entre BWR e ATM (B=0,881, p=0,038), no qual meninas restritas e com pior escore ATM (pior qualidade de interação com a mãe) têm maior sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Nenhum efeito foi visto em meninos (r2 =0,012, p=0,331). Conclusão: A qualidade da interação mãe-filho parece ser um importante modulador da sobreingestão emocional em meninas, especialmente aquelas nascidas com baixo peso, aos 4 anos de idade. / Introduction: The fetal environment is nowadays well recognized for its important contribution to the long-term health and influence in the predisposition to chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), especially females, demonstrate a general preference for a less healthy food choices during development, what could contribute for the increased risk for chronic disease in this population. Low maternal care in childhood is associated with increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as obesity in adolescence. In addition, emotional overeating (defined as eating in response to the emotional stimulus rather than feelings of hunger) is related to excessive food consumption, an increased sweets and fats intake and overweight. It is possible that children born with intrauterine growth restriction are more sensitive to environmental changes such as maternal care, and the interaction between these factors are able to modulate feeding behavior in these individuals. Objective: Investigate the interaction between intrauterine growth restriction and maternal care on emotional overeating at 4 years old children. Methods: This is a preliminary analysis of a Canadian Birth Cohort (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment - MAVAN). The study sample included 195 children from the city of Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton, Ontario. The IUGR assessment was based on fetal growth ratio of birth weight. At 48 months of age, mothers complete the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the mother-child interaction was filmed during a structured task (“Etch a sketch”) for posterior scoring of the maternal behavior, in which the pairs are instructed to reproduce a house image together using the Etch-a-Sketch toy. We used the scale "atmosphere" (ATM) of GESU, that characterizes the general atmosphere during the play activity through a scale ranging from 1, "a lot of disagreement and conflict, no expression of positive feelings" to 9 "Very harmonious, pleasant, peaceful, without conflict or negative feelings expressed". A linear regression model adjusted for BMI and split by sex was built to analyze the interaction between the ATM score and the birth weight status (IUGR or not) on the emotional overeating domain of the CEBQ. Results: There were no differences between IUGR and non-IUGR in the distribution of gender, maternal education and income, or the ATM score of GESU. The model was significant for girls (r2=0.204, p=0.012) with isolated effects of BMI (B=0.076, p=0.048) and ATM score (B=-0.229, p=0.019) on emotional overeating. Moreover, there was an interaction between IUGR and ATM (B=0.881, p=0.038), in which IUGR girls with worse ATM scores have increased emotional overeating at 4 years of age. No effects were seen in boys (r2=0.012, p=0.331). Conclusion: The quality of mother-child interaction seems to be important to prevent emotional overeating and overweight in girls, especially those born IUGR, at 4 years of age.

Introdução: O ambiente fetal é atualmente bem reconhecido pela sua importante contribuição à saúde e influência na predisposição a doenças crônicas como obesidade, hipertensão e diabetes mellitus tipo 2, ao longo da vida. Indivíduos nascidos com restrição de crescimento intrauterino (RCIU), especialmente do sexo feminino, em geral, apresentam preferência por uma dieta menos saudável, o que pode contribuir para o maior risco de doenças crônicas nessa população. A relação maternal de baixa qualidade na infância está associada a maior risco de desenvolver distúrbios psiquiátricos, como ansiedade e depressão, assim como obesidade na adolescência. Além disso, a sobreingestão alimentar emocional (definida como comer em resposta ao estímulo emocional ao invés de sentimentos de fome) está relacionada com o excesso alimentar, aumento do consumo de doces e gorduras e sobrepeso. É possível que crianças nascidas com RCIU sejam mais sensíveis a variações ambientais como o cuidado materno, e que a interação entre estes fatores seja capaz de modular o comportamento alimentar nestes indivíduos. Objetivo: Avaliar a interação entre a RCIU e o cuidado materno na sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma análise preliminar de uma coorte canadense de nascimentos (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment – MAVAN). As avaliações do crescimento fetal foram baseadas na razão de peso ao nascer. Aos 48 meses de idade, foram aplicados o Questionário do Comportamento Alimentar Infantil (CEBQ) e filmada a interação mãe-criança durante uma tarefa estruturada (GESU), na qual as duplas são instruídas a reproduzir a imagem de uma casa, em conjunto, utilizando o brinquedo Etch-a-Sketch (Conhecido como Quadro Mágico, no Brasil). Utilizouse a escala “atmosphere” (ATM) da GESU, que avalia a atmosfera geral de toda a sessão por meio de uma escala que varia de 1, “muita discórdia e conflito, nenhuma expressão de sentimentos positivos” até 9 “Muito harmoniosa, agradável, pacífica, sem conflitos ou expressão de sentimento negativos”. Nessa fase, foram avaliadas 195 crianças. Um modelo de regressão linear, ajustado pelo IMC e separado por sexo, foi realizado para avaliar a correlação entre a RCIU e o escore de cuidado materno, aos 48 meses, no sobre-consumo emocional medido pelo CEBQ, considerando significativo um P <0,05. Resultados: Não havia diferenças entre RCIU e não RCIU na distribuição de sexos, educação e renda maternas, nem no escore “Atmosphere” do GESU. O modelo de regressão linear foi significativo para meninas (r2=0,204, p=0,012) com efeitos isolados do IMC (B=0,076, p=0,048) e da ATM (B=-0,229, p=0,019) na sobreingestão emocional. Além disso, vimos uma interação entre BWR e ATM (B=0,881, p=0,038), no qual meninas restritas e com pior escore ATM (pior qualidade de interação com a mãe) têm maior sobreingestão emocional aos 4 anos de idade. Nenhum efeito foi visto em meninos (r2 =0,012, p=0,331). Conclusão: A qualidade da interação mãe-filho parece ser um importante modulador da sobreingestão emocional em meninas, especialmente aquelas nascidas com baixo peso, aos 4 anos de idade. / Introduction: The fetal environment is nowadays well recognized for its important contribution to the long-term health and influence in the predisposition to chronic diseases such as obesity, hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Individuals born with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), especially females, demonstrate a general preference for a less healthy food choices during development, what could contribute for the increased risk for chronic disease in this population. Low maternal care in childhood is associated with increased risk for developing psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as obesity in adolescence. In addition, emotional overeating (defined as eating in response to the emotional stimulus rather than feelings of hunger) is related to excessive food consumption, an increased sweets and fats intake and overweight. It is possible that children born with intrauterine growth restriction are more sensitive to environmental changes such as maternal care, and the interaction between these factors are able to modulate feeding behavior in these individuals. Objective: Investigate the interaction between intrauterine growth restriction and maternal care on emotional overeating at 4 years old children. Methods: This is a preliminary analysis of a Canadian Birth Cohort (Maternal Adversity, Vulnerability and Neurodevelopment - MAVAN). The study sample included 195 children from the city of Montreal, Quebec, and Hamilton, Ontario. The IUGR assessment was based on fetal growth ratio of birth weight. At 48 months of age, mothers complete the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire (CEBQ) and the mother-child interaction was filmed during a structured task (“Etch a sketch”) for posterior scoring of the maternal behavior, in which the pairs are instructed to reproduce a house image together using the Etch-a-Sketch toy. We used the scale "atmosphere" (ATM) of GESU, that characterizes the general atmosphere during the play activity through a scale ranging from 1, "a lot of disagreement and conflict, no expression of positive feelings" to 9 "Very harmonious, pleasant, peaceful, without conflict or negative feelings expressed". A linear regression model adjusted for BMI and split by sex was built to analyze the interaction between the ATM score and the birth weight status (IUGR or not) on the emotional overeating domain of the CEBQ. Results: There were no differences between IUGR and non-IUGR in the distribution of gender, maternal education and income, or the ATM score of GESU. The model was significant for girls (r2=0.204, p=0.012) with isolated effects of BMI (B=0.076, p=0.048) and ATM score (B=-0.229, p=0.019) on emotional overeating. Moreover, there was an interaction between IUGR and ATM (B=0.881, p=0.038), in which IUGR girls with worse ATM scores have increased emotional overeating at 4 years of age. No effects were seen in boys (r2=0.012, p=0.331). Conclusion: The quality of mother-child interaction seems to be important to prevent emotional overeating and overweight in girls, especially those born IUGR, at 4 years of age.

This essay investigates the philosophies and practices of Simone Weil and Etty Hillesum from the viewpoint of their relation to eating. By analyzing them aided by Renée Girard’s theory of mimetic desire, I discuss similarities and differences between Weils and Hillesums work and spiritual development. Entering their thinking through Robert Daly’s notion of a phenomenology of redemption, which describes the form of  mimetic desire that counters, rather than produces, violence, I discuss, guided by Susan Bordo’s work on eating disorders as well as Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology of perception, how Weil and Hillesum can be said to engage in this respectively. By contrasting Weil’s decreation with Hillesum's compulsive overeating, or “life-gluttony”, my analysis argues that Hillesum's diaries depict how she copes with violence by practicing a kind of radical self-love, through which she becomes able to reconcile with both herself and her outside world. As for Weil, I argue that the self-destructive ethics that her decreation consists in prevent her from reaching a full reconciliation, insofar as it constitutes only internalized violence, and not a refusal of violence as such. Thus, my conclusion is, Hillesum's philosophy might be said to be an expression of a more complete redemption, as I formulate it taking my departure in Daly's concept, than Weil's. / Denna uppsats diskuterar Simone Weils och Etty Hillesums verk och liv med avstamp i Weils formulering av begreppet avskapelse samt den livshunger, eller livsglupskhet, som Hillesum beskriver i sina dagböcker. Med hjälp av Renée Girards teori om mimetiska begär undersöker den hur självsvält och överätande figurerar i Weil och Hillesums liv och verk, och hur dessa fenomen relaterar till deras respektive andliga och etiska övertygelser. Utifrån Richard Dalys tanke om en försoningens fenomenologi, baserad i Girards teori om mimetiska begär, Susan Bordos analys av ätstörningar som kulturellt fenomen samt Maurice Merleau-Pontys kroppsorienterade fenomenologi utreder den skillnader och likheter mellan Weil och Hillesum med avseende på hur deras etiska övertygelser gestaltas av och i deras liv och verk. Min analys gör gällande att Hillesums dagböcker skildrar hur hon gör upp med våld genom att praktisera ett slags radikal självkärlek, genom vilken hon blir förmögen att försonas med såväl sig själv som sin omvärld. Vad gäller Weil, hävdar jag att den självförintande etik som hennes avskapelse består i omöjliggör en fullkomlig försoning, såtillvida som den endast utgör ett internaliserat våld, och inte en uppgörelse med våldet som sådant. Därmed, är min slutsats, kan Hillesums filosofi möjligen sägas vara ett uttryck för enmer fullkomlig försoning, som jag formulerar den med avstamp i Dalys begrepp, än Weils.

An introduction to the Hedonic Overeating-Questionnaire (HEDO-Q), providing a brief trait assessment of hedonic overeating, operationalizing food-related wanting, liking, and dyscontrol. Items and instructions for the German HEDO-Q and its English translation are provided.

Due to societal and economic costs caused by compulsive consumption behavior, specifically problem drinking and overeating, a search has been launched for a cognitive explanation for the ‘deviant’ behaviors and the motivations that cause these behaviors to continue. This dissertation attempted to develop a better understanding of continued compulsive consumption behavior by investigating consumers’ use of the techniques of neutralization theory. Based on methodological concerns in neutralization research, the development of reliable and valid measures of the five techniques of neutralization theory were described and used to examine their moderation of compulsive consumption behavior and its relationship with social norm commitment and guilt. The dissertation resulted in developing four reliable and valid neutralization technique scales. The results of the structural model suggested a negative relationship between social norms and compulsive consumption behavior and a multiple regression indicated a partial moderation of certain neutralization techniques of this relationship. This dissertation has provided a better understanding of the cognitive process surrounding a consumer’s compulsive consumption behavior, the techniques used to allow the behavior to continue, and marketing applications to entice consumers to stop the behavior.