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Obesity and

coronary heart

disease

Psychology

throughout the

course of illness (2)

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter illustrates the role of psychology throughout the

course of illness with a focus on obesity and coronary heart

disease. It first examines the definitions of obesity, its

prevalence and potential consequences. It then examines

the role of physiological factors and behaviour in causing

obesity. The chapter then explores obesity treatment raising

the question ‘should obesity be treated at all?’. Next, the

chapter looks at coronary heart disease. It describes what it is

and how it is defined and then looks at the role of psychology

in its etiology. Finally, it explores the role of psychology in

treatment and rehabilitation.

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