Weight Loss Through Hypnosis?

The escalation of obesity rates in this country has sparked a flurry of activity amongst both serious researchers and charlatans to discover the perfect weight loss method. Hypnosis represents one of the more appealing methods dangled before the eyes of those who are hungry for a seemingly easy solution to a complex problem.

Considerable controversy swirls around the mechanisms by which hypnosis actually contributes to weight loss. Leon (1976) suggested that hypnosis can help obese people team new healthier eating patterns and retain them. One author remarked that the hypnotic state is characterized by heightened concentration, suggestibility, and relaxation (Mott, 1982). Certain individuals are thought to be capable of achieving this state more readily than others. A so-called hypnotic "induction" whereby a hypnotist using certain procedures to bring an individual into the hypnotic state is not a prerequisite for achieving the state (Mott, 1982). Hypnosis, contrary to the claims of some intemet advertisers cannot magically reprogram people's minds. In short, methods of hypnosis run the gamut from simple relaxation techniques to formal inductions administered by hypnotists, but should not be considered supernatural in its effects.

A number of studies indicate that hypnosis combined with a behavioral weight management program contributes significantly to weight loss. Bolocofsky, Spinler, and Coulthard-Morris (1985) revealed that the addition of hypnosis to a behavioral program designed to alter eating patterns increased the amount of weight loss at 8-month and 2year follow-ups. Both the behavioral and hypnosis programs were tailored to each subject individually in the study. Bolocofsky et al. (1984) acknowledged that "the less a person weighed at the start of the program the more likely he was to lose weight and maintain the reduction". Hypnosis combined with behavioral weight management seems to be more effective for small amounts of weight loss.

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Obesity rates still climbing

By PATRICIA NORRIS

pnorris@repub.com

SPRINGFIELD - Put the doughnut down and move away from it!

Although Massachusetts' obesity rate is among the lowest in the nation, public health officials say the battle of the bulge is not over, and in many areas it hasn't even begun.

Thirty-one states across the country showed an increase in obesity last year, including Massachusetts, according to a report released yesterday by the advocacy group Trust for America's Health. The ever-expanding national waistline has led some public health experts to conclude that being fat is not all about personal choice.

Higher-priced healthy foods, unsafe neighborhoods and the addictive-like properties of some sugary foods are worsening the problem, they say.

"There are a lot of great efforts out there, but in order to curb the overall obesity problem, there need to be some comprehensive federal- and state-mandated changes that occur communitywide," said pediatrician Dr. Crystal Wittcopp, director of the Pediatric Weight Management clinic at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield.

Wittcopp likens obesity's effects to the public health problems tobacco has caused. Changes in healthy food pricing and the way food is labeled would go a long way in building an arsenal to fight fat, she said.

Safe neighborhood initiatives would also be a plus because it would help free people up to exercise, public health officials say.

"If we're urging people to walk more, and their streets are not safe, that's an unrealistic expectation," said Jeff Levi, Trust for America's executive director. "If we're urging people to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and they don't have access to a supermarket or the cost is beyond their capacity, then we're not asking them to take responsibility for something they have control over."

But Sally Fogerty, assistant commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, said Massachusetts' low ranking in the report shows progress is being made here.

"We have been working hard over the last several years to get the message across that individuals need to be eating fruits and vegetables and need to increase their amount of physical activity," said Fogerty, adding that the state has expanded nutrition initiatives in its Women, Infant and Children programming and is partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield to bring nutrition and exercise programming to 112 middle schools. "We are really looking at the programs and how we can continue to get our message across," she said.

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