“Break your inferiority complex with weight loss – feel strong and confident”

At some point in our lives we all have crossed the phase when we undermined ourselves. Some among us are confident and positive in certain aspects even though they aren’t. And some always feel they are inferior to others in terms of knowledge, looks, confidence etc. The inferiority complex is common in women and the size and shape of the obese body elevates the feeling.

Obesity leads to various metabolic disorders and sexual problems. People who are obese usually fall into depression, guilt, poor married life and thus inferiority complex. This can affect your relation with friends, family and partner. It is commonly found in women and the problem leads to further weight gain.

We shall discuss here the inferiority complex due to obesity, its symptoms and how can one overcome it.

What is inferiority complex?

Inferiority complex is a situation when a person feels he/she cannot stand up to the mark even if they are capable of. In the case of obese women, they are mostly affected with the feeling of not looking good and this results in social withdrawal and sensitivity towards certain things.

The feeling of inferiority complex due to obesity can be very stressful as it affects the mental health and is a gateway to various health risks.

What is obesity?

The accumulation of fats in the body is called obesity. Body mass index is used to categorize a person under obesity or severe obesity or overweight or normal weight. A person with BMI 30 or more than thirty comes under obesity.

Causes of risk factors of inferiority complex due to obesity

The inferiority complex does not come on its own but is a result of combination of factors.

Hormonal changes in the body might affect the mental state of a person. For example, a woman close to her periods will experience pre-menstrual symptoms that include mood swings. Similarly change in hormones in obese people might affect the inferior feeling within.

Family environment – Some children have highly critical parents that keeps on nagging the child about his/her fatty body. This shakes the self-esteem of a child and it is carried to adulthood. The person, instead of working against the obesity is occupied with the thoughts of worthless, ashamed etc and thus all these makes them feel inferior to others.

Society – Our society can accept a fat man but not a fat woman. There is enormous pressure of the society on the women to stay slim and fit. They are often told to stay slim and only then they can get married or they are mocked by people around or at times some pretty outfits embarrass them. They often compare themselves with others and this makes them feel inferior.

How to know if you are going through inferiority complex

There is no exact measurement for mental health illness. However, the healthcare professional looks for anxiety and depressive disorders and this helps to diagnose the individual’s inferiority complex. The other common findings include-

• Sensitive to criticism
• Easily giving up attitude
• Not able to reach the goal
• Insecure
• Low self esteem
• Withdrawal from social gatherings

Signs and symptoms of inferiority complex due to obesity

-Most commonly an obese person will pull himself/herself back from the society. They see themselves different from the society and are not able to make connections thinking what the other person may think of them.

-At times obese people try to outperform the normal weighing people in certain aspects to feel better. Very often they might lose the temper and be rude to others.

-The obese person blames the genes for all the accumulated fat mass. They usually blame something or someone for not being able to make effort towards weight loss.

How obese people can overcome the inferiority complex

Stay away from people who demotivate you – It is always best to avoid the company of people who always makes you feel that you are cursed with obesity and nothing can be done to eliminate it.

Think positive – Accept the fact that you are obese or overweight and know the health risks associated with it. Acceptance is the stepping stone towards positive thinking. Reading inspirational books, listening to life changing inspiring stories or surrounding yourself with positive people will help you overcome inferiority complex related to obesity.

Make a group with similar goals – Being with people having similar goal and facing the same problem will help you achieve your target and this way your whole energy is dedicated towards the change for good.

Treatment of obesity related inferiority complex

Stop comparing your fatty child with the siblings or other children. Because constant poking can lead the child into the darkness of depression. Instead motivate them to lead a healthy lifestyle and develop good eating habits.

In adults and also in children, losing weight shows drastic improvement in physical health and mental health. It elevates the self-confidence, raises self-esteem and fills their mind and soul with positive attitude towards life. They realize their worth and start believing in themselves.

Apart from mental health, losing extra pounds keeps you away from health risks associated with obesity. A gradual weight loss under supervision of healthcare professional will help in a healthy weight loss.

Healthy weight loss means losing weight with fulfilling the need of minerals and vitamins to the body. This keeps you more energetic and productive in your daily work.

Losing weight improves the hormonal balance, gives your body a shape and a good health.

Conclusion

The healthcare professionals do not consider inferiority complex a mental disorder. It has been observed if inferiority complex is taken lightly it may result in pathological problems. If the root cause is obesity then it makes it easier for the obese person and the healthcare professionals to deal with it. As obesity can be reduced with dedicated effort from both ends, this will simultaneously elevate the self-esteem and eliminate the inferiority complex of the person. Thus, a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle with positivity is the only solution to prevent and treat obesity.