THEHUMANNEQUIN.

Thursday, 15 December 2011 | (0) Leave A Comment

Prisoner of Obesophobia

While many are unaware of the term obesophobia, they are subconsciously falling prey to this disorder.

By Aneesa Beham

Photo Courtesy: http://grade8health.asb-wiki.wikispaces.net/Phobias

Have you ever experienced an alarming fear of weight gain, obsession with weight loss or an inability to see yourself as anything but obese? If your face turns red or sweaty hearing these symptoms, then you might be at risk of facing Obesophobia.

Fear of weight gain is communal. However the moment it turns into paranoia, it results into a psychiatric disorder, classified as Obesophobia or also known as Pocrescophobia.

Obesophobia occurs to one when just a passing thought of weight gain or obesity instigates an overwhelming fear which is off the norm. This emerging problem of personal battle seems to be at its peak among young folks. Hence, people braving this fear often deals with internal apprehension caused by external manipulation.

The easiest pick for a possible reason for the fear would be the exposure to media. Media has the utmost influence on how one should perceive an idea. The unnatural but desired body shape of size zero for females, while a well buffed and masculine body for males have caused society to fall under the norm it sets. To don a body like Angelina Jolie or to own abs like Ryan Gosling might be a dream come true for most.

While media is placed at one side of the equilibrium, peer pressure weighs the other. As much as media influences one on body shape, peer pressure seems to be the after-effect of it. To keep themselves physically attractive as how the "popular girls" or "cool dudes" look like and define beauty as, are some of the contributing factors for one to face the fear of gaining weight.

Since being thicker is deemed as a sin in the current society, these folks get out of control the moment they think of a kg heavier. Hence, they undergo eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa which are the end results of Obesophobia.

Signs and Symptoms of Obesophobia

Personally, being a person who suffered from Obesophobia once, I tried to overcome the fear of weight gain through diverting my thoughts to various activities. For instance, I jogged regularly and made myself active with sports like badminton and basketball. In addition, I also controlled my food intake. Thus, it made me feel more confident and guilt-free. Therefore, this is a problem that you can overcome through determination and the control over your thoughts. Remember, nothing is impossible.

So humannequins, be the architect of your own life. Don’t let society impose their definitions of beauty upon you. Think again, are you going to be a prisoner of this syndrome or fight this battle to crown victory? The decision is solely up to you.

Writer’s note: This is one of my favourite songs sung by Pink. I listen to this song whenever I feel life is pulling me down. And if you’re feeling the same too, listen to this song and get motivated to move on. Remember YOU ARE PERFECT TO ME.

Labels: Fear, Obese, Obesophobia, Procrescophobia, Symptoms, Weight