Achieving and maintaining optimal body weight by savoring , nor just coping : a preliminary study

Abstract

The most widely used indicator of overweight is the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms, divided by height in meters squared. Recommended BMI cut points for overweight have been set at 30, 27, and recently at 25 by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Overweight is becoming a public health issue since more than 50% of the US adult population has a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25, and 20% of the population has a BMI over 30 categorizing them as extremely obese (Kuczmarski & Flegal, 1994; Strawbridge, Wallhagen, & Shema, 2000). Overweight is becoming a global epidemic (Berg, 1999; World Health Organization, 1998). We maintain a good health state through behaviors and habits that we practice throughout our lives. Eating behaviors and habits allow us to maintain body weight, and play an important role in our wellness.