For Professional Weight Loss Health Workers interested in the Psychology & Sabotage of Weight Loss

This page introduces you to the professional world of 'psychodietetics'. We define 'psychodietetics' as the study of the complex psychophysiological processes that in combination with environmental and social factors (which are typically outside the ambit of the clinician), make up the key aetiological factors in the development of overweight and obesity.

Dr Blair-West's book was actually initially written as a workbook for his clientele to speed up the therapeutic process. It saves time in helping them to understand issues such as their deep attachment to food, the process of developing new habits and why they might sabotage their weight loss plans. References were added to the final version of the book to provide an evidence-base for interested clinicians and sophisticated readers.

Of all the Radio/TV files available, the one that professionals will find most informative is the 'Life Matters' interview with Richard Aedy on Radio National. Click here to listen.

For clinicians already using this approach with their clientele who wish to make bulk book orders online click here.

Research Underlying the Low Sacrifice 'Diet'

Dr Blair-West's work into the psychology and sabotage of weight loss is informed by and integrates aspects of the following four theoretical and therapeutic precepts and perspectives:

• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Restraint Theory
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Attachment Theory

The greatest influence on Dr Blair-West's clinical approach from the dieting literature has been the work of psychologists and Professors Peter Herman and Janet Polivy from the University of Toronto.

After dialoguing for sometime by email from their respective continents, the three finally spent some time together discussing the clinical application of Restraint Theory when Profs Herman & Polivy came to Australia in 2006 and keynoted at the Obesity Prevention and Treatment Society's annual conference. (An audio CD - which includes powerpoint presentations - of these speakers and Dr Blair-West is available to interested professionals. Send an enquiry from www.opats.org)

While Dr Blair-West has presented to a range of clinical meetings from hospital Grand Rounds to national and international conferences, his work is perhaps best summarised in the paper he was invited to present at the International Congress on Obesity in Sydney 2006. To read this paper click on the link below:

International Congress on Obesity

Tantalus, Restraint Theory and the Low Sacrifice 'Diet' - the art of reverse abstraction. Read the article here.