For years I’ve considered Peter Herman and Janet Polivy as two of the few people who have an accurate understanding of the causes of obesity.
They wrote “Breaking the Diet Habit” back in 1983, which I think is one of the best books ever written about gaining and losing weight. In fact, in my course on weight, nutrition, and fitness I heavily quote from their work.
I haven’t heard about them for a while, so I was pleased to see an announcement that they were the keynote speakers at a recent conference titled, “The Clinicians Challenge in Treating Obesity.” This is the inaugural symposium of the newly-formed Obesity Prevention and Treatment Society (OPTS).
Herman and Polivy, professors in psychology at the University Toronto, Canada, are best known for their research on “restraint theory,” which holds that, if you deny yourself of food, you’ll ultimately overeat (also nicknamed the “What the Hell Effect”).
My copy of their book is badly dog-eared and underlined. It is out of print but many libraries have a copy, as do some of the online used book sellers.
Here is more information about the OPTS.
The Obesity Prevention and Treatment Society (OPATS) was formed in early 2006 by clinicians working with obese people who recognized that traditional approaches to weight loss were having very limited success. Traditional, non-surgical weight loss strategies have 5 year success rates of typically less than 20%. More concerningly, research shows that after people lose weight, on average, they regain all that they lose plus another 15%. With over 50% of the population obese or overweight, the Society operates from the imperative of improving treatment outcomes. Of particular concern is the need to apply recent research to understanding the complexities of managing weight in families with young children.
This organization’s website is at http://www.opats.org
Allen Oelschlaeger
Author of Finally, the Straight Scoop About Weight, Nutrition and Fitness
