In The News: The Obesity Debate, Over-indulgence and Dating

The obesity debate is back in the news, as scientists continue to argue about what’s causing our children to become overweight.

Recent studies are apparently showing that it’s over-eating that’s causing the bulk of the problem, rather than lack of mobility and general absence of an exercise regime. It seems our children, and many adults, are simply over-indulging on foods that they are aware are lacking in nutrition.

There’s a culture of endless overindulgence going on at the moment, and the result of that is becoming more and more obvious as an entire generation hits adolescence struggling with their weight. It’s not just food that we can over-indulge in. People find all kinds of ways to satisfy cravings, many of which can end up to be just as destructive as obesity is – on both our physical and mental health.

Indulgences come in many forms. – some forms are to avoid or move away from emotional discomfort and pain. In those cases individuals find their emotional crutch to be not only an over-reliance on food but also on alcohol and drugs for example. They use these crutches as a way of avoiding dealing with unwanted negative feelings.

In my work, I also notice that people can also over-indulge on certain emotions and sensations in order to move towards or create constant positive ‘emotional highs’. This could be shopping sprees, gambling and sex. And dating and falling in love can also fall into this catagory. And there are hidden dangers in this kind of over-indulgence. That buzz you get in the initial stages of dating can be addictive. That sense of feeling ‘wanted’ and ‘alive’ – in the moments of passion.

In the worst-case scenario there are ‘sex addicts’, who we very recently have seen a lot of in the media. Halle Berry’s ex husband, for example, was a high profile example of a male celebrity who it was discovered was having sex with multiple partners out of some internal compulsion. Tiger Woods is another one who is constantly in the headlines.

Just as a compulsion to overeat is contributing to obesity, the compulsion to overindulge in activities to try and move us away from pain or towards pleasure can be equally destructive. The many recent celebrity divorces are a testimony to that. But it needn’t be this blatant.

We are all, especially those of us actively dating at the moment, in danger of falling in love for the pleasure of falling in love. And because of this, if we’re not careful, we are also in danger of falling in love with the wrong person – sometimes someone that may be completely unsuitable.

It’s important to be honest with yourself for your reason for dating. Is it an ego booster? Is it to keep you on a perpetual high? Or is it really to find that someone special to settle down with? Like everything – moderation is the best policy. And also – don’t forget to take some time out to be with yourself!