The article chosen is titled ‘The Potential Role of Sports Psychology in the Obesity Epidemic’ written by Vincent Morelli and Carolyn Davis (2013). It discusses the important role sports psychology plays in helping reverse the growing obesity epidemic among modern day society. The article highlights how cognitive-behavioural techniques such as confidence building and anger management could lead to enhanced enjoyment, increased participation, improved performance, and a reduction in obesity rates. As such, an athlete’s improved performance is determined by the physician’s ability to recognize and manage psychological disorders within athletes. Research indicates that anxiety and mood disorders, such as depressions, are the leading causes of
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It address’s the important role sports psychologists play when working with obese individuals to reduce mental health problems and improve motivation. However, in regards to the article, many arguments were raised relating to the future of sports psychology within the obese population. One argument raised throughout the article is the stigma and bias opinions society has towards obese people. The article identifies the importance sports psychology has at an individual level, however, does not address the importance it should have at a local level. As well as working with the individual to help reduce obesity rates, sports psychologists should also focus on the impacts of mental health problems at a societal level in an attempt to reduce cultural stereotypes around obesity. Weight stigma can occur in multiple settings by a range of different individuals. One example may be in an employment setting, where overweight employees are ascribed multiple negative stereotypes including being lazy, sloppy, less competent, lacking in self-discipline, disagreeable, less conscientious, and poor role models. Another example includes a school setting, where students who are overweight or obese can face harassment and ridicule from peers, as well as negative attitudes from teachers and other educators. Furthermore, in medical facilities, biased attitudes toward obese patients have been documented among physicians, nurses, psychologists, dieticians, and medical students, and include perceptions that obese patients are unintelligent, unsuccessful, weak-willed, unpleasant, overindulgent, and lazy. Research has documented that individuals who experience this weight stigmatization have higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and poorer psychological adjustment. In order to ensure individuals are not at risk of developing mental health
It address’s the important role sports psychologists play when working with obese individuals to reduce mental health problems and improve motivation. However, in regards to the article, many arguments were raised relating to the future of sports psychology within the obese population. One argument raised throughout the article is the stigma and bias opinions society has towards obese people. The article identifies the importance sports psychology has at an individual level, however, does not address the importance it should have at a local level. As well as working with the individual to help reduce obesity rates, sports psychologists should also focus on the impacts of mental health problems at a societal level in an attempt to reduce cultural stereotypes around obesity. Weight stigma can occur in multiple settings by a range of different individuals. One example may be in an employment setting, where overweight employees are ascribed multiple negative stereotypes including being lazy, sloppy, less competent, lacking in self-discipline, disagreeable, less conscientious, and poor role models. Another example includes a school setting, where students who are overweight or obese can face harassment and ridicule from peers, as well as negative attitudes from teachers and other educators. Furthermore, in medical facilities, biased attitudes toward obese patients have been documented among physicians, nurses, psychologists, dieticians, and medical students, and include perceptions that obese patients are unintelligent, unsuccessful, weak-willed, unpleasant, overindulgent, and lazy. Research has documented that individuals who experience this weight stigmatization have higher rates of depression, anxiety, social isolation, and poorer psychological adjustment. In order to ensure individuals are not at risk of developing mental health