An Integrated Model of Diet 285- Obesity and overweight are read as signs of being out of control, as a
lack of success, and as illustrative of psychological problems. - The symptoms of food avoidance and thinness are seen by a
family systems theory perspective as a communication about a
problem. - From a psychoanalytic perspective thinness and food avoidance can be
read as expressions of the need for control and feelings of neediness. - The symptoms of eating disorders can be seen as an expression of a range
of conflicts resulting from a modern society.
An Integrated Model of Diet
The literature on diet can therefore be understood in terms of a range of
themes which permeate research on different aspects on diet, from differ-
ent theoretical perspectives, and derived using different methodologies.
These themes can be conceptualized in terms of an integrated model of
diet which is illustrated in figure 12.2.
Using this analysis the individual with their cognitions, gender, and
biology are located at the core of the model and placed within the broader
context of social norms and the family. In the interface between the indi-
vidual and the broader context lie the themes of control, conflict, and
communication, as these issues arise as the individual interacts with and
is produced from their social world. This interface is central to the under-
standing of eating behavior. Food intake is not an individual behavior
which occurs in isolation form the outside world. Nor is it driven solely
by social norms and the family. Eating can be conceptualized as a product
of the interface between the individual and their social world which man-
ifests itself through the themes of communication, conflict, and control.
In particular, as the individual interacts with their social world, food acts
as a forum for communication about who they are and how they lie in
relation to others. Food also generates conflicts for the individual and can
be used to express conflicts to others. Finally, as the individual behaves and
thinks within their social context they can experience feelings of being out
of control, and food offers a forum for regaining this control. The indi-
vidual may attempt to impose control over their food intake, may experience
feelings of loss of control, and may have control imposed on their food
intake upon them by others.