title: [Eating disorders and obesity].
abstract: In most cases, obesity does not stem from a specific psychologic disturbance. Some obese people overeat, as do their family or their socio-professional peers, and this cannot be considered a pathologic behaviour. Many obese patients increase their energy intake when frustrated, anxious, or tired, like many normal individuals who enjoy a better weight regulation. But when obesity increases suddenly and/or severely in these circumstances, and in gross obesity, abnormal feeding behaviour is usually responsible: prandial or, more often extraprandial overeating (nibbling, gorging, binge eating, night eating, excess alcohol, carbohydrate craving). Serotoninergic mechanisms of the latter have focused wide interest. Conflicting situations and/or anxiety are usually a factor in child obesity. Deppreciated self-image and feelings of culpability, partly secondary to obesity itself and dietary failures often contribute to feeding disturbances, sometimes surreptitious, carrying a risk of vicious circle. But weight reduction itself, while improving self image, carries a risk of unmasking depressive tendencies, especially when too quick. Hence the importance of careful and comprehensive management.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Houdent
mesh_terms: D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology
vernacular_title: Troubles du comportement alimentaire et obésité.