Psychological factors could also lead to obesity. If the person does not have the awareness that what he’s doing is not right, he will just continue it until someone reprimands him that it is wrong. Is obesity abnormal? Abnormality exists when it deviates from normal. If the normal BMI is 20-25 kilograms per meter squared and the BMI of an obese person is 27.5 kilograms per meter squared and higher, is it right to say that obesity is abnormal? Obesity being abnormal is too vague. It requires in depth assessment on what causes obesity, may it be the genetic framework, lifestyle, or even the environment.

Obesity as a Behavioral Problem

Many people would account obesity as a major behavioral problem. Behavior would refer to the personality and attitude of the person, on how the person acts out his ways of living. Obesity comes in the scenario where the person does not recognize that his behavior is getting somewhere and the person thinks that his lifestyle is normal. Thus, it is hard to motivate them to change their diet or to encourage them to exercise. You cannot change what is right until you know what is wrong.

Behavior Modification Therapy

The primary goal of behavior modification is for the person to identify or be aware that his eating habits add lifestyle is neither good nor getting any better. Let the persons realize that something has to be changed. Furthermore, the ultimate purpose of behavior modification is to help the person achieve the change in eating and exercise patterns that is necessary for successful weight reduction and control.

Behavior medication therapy is sometimes offered as a program in health clinics, and self-help groups. Although the person could do it on an individual basis still group sessions are found to be effective. The technique of behavior management for weight loss/ control employs the following approaches.

• Self-monitoring of eating behavior
The purpose of this approach is to increase the awareness of the person regarding the calories consumed and related eating behaviors. All foods and fluids consumed and the time and circumstances related to eating must be recorded. In simple terms, a food diary is needed.

• Control of environmental stimuli for eating.
Eating is a social stigma. One could resists his craving but when face with a crowd of people eating, it is difficult to resist. Thus, this approach focuses on the elimination of enticements to eating; for example: avoid going to the parties, eliminate snacks in the house or avoid watching TV or reading while eating.

• Enhance behavior change in Eating
This approach aims to decrease the food intake of the person. The following behaviors should be observed while eating: put the fork down between bites, take smaller bites, drink water with meals, and eat chewy foods rather than soft foods. The latter behavior prolongs the eating period but the food intake is not increase.