What value would you assign to the feeling of being comfortable in your own skin?

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine continues to be a goal for many of us.

While the field of psychology has been focused on cognitive and behavioral change for over 100 years, we have yet to crack the nut on weight loss. Cognitive behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective at the initial reduction of weight as well as maintenance over 24 weeks (Jacob et al., 2018; Madjd et al., 2020). Yet access to and utilization of these interventions remain constrained by the usual systemic barriers.

The obesity prevalence rate in the U.S. between 2017-2020 was 41.9%.

Pharmacological treatment with growing brand names like Wegovy and Ozempic has prompted new hopefulness about maintenance issues and attitudinal change (Ard et al., 2021).

Yet, these new medical interventions will have little impact on the underlying culture within ourselves, our relationships, and our families.

A positive self-appraisal still eludes many in the United States, with some experiencing severe eating disorders that are difficult to treat (Grilo, 2024).

A recent Oprah Winfrey primetime TV special on weight stigma highlighted the struggle many Americans continue to experience around body image and shame in the United States.

Weight shaming in relationships is on........

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