Endocrinologist LMC Medical Weight Management Clinic
This presentation will enable clinicians to apply practical applications of cognitive behavioural therapy skills in obesity management. Given the high prevalence of weight regain in traditional behavioural therapy programs, this calls for a shift towards addressing cognitive change to realize long-term results. Individuals with obesity who are refractory to conventional behavioural modifications are often plagued with self-blame, perpetuated by internalized weight bias, which leads to the phenomenon of learned helplessness. Cognitive behavioural therapy can be used in these settings to reframe the patient's experience living with a higher body weight (for instance: pivoting from punitive internal dialogue, to nurturing, rationale dialogue) and subsequently foster self-autonomy and motivation to adhere to behavioural changes long-term.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of weight stigma in generating limiting core beliefs
Utilize the principles of effective behavioural therapy for weight management
Explore the biological underpinnings that challenge weight loss and draw parallels to patient experience