Health behaviors are specific actions taken by people that affect their health. Overeating is the particular health behavior being addressed; it is a common habit that is difficult to break. The decision to break this cycle was made because eating too much is a major cause of obesity. Moreover, it can potentially cause chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Self-monitoring will be an essential behavior-change strategy for dealing with this unhealthy habit. This method entails keeping and updating a daily diary of my eating habits, which will aid in understanding the unhealthy trend. Furthermore, the self-monitoring journal can identify the various emotional triggers that lead to overeating and the specific food that stimulates the behavior (Modrzejewska et al., 2021). Another behavioral approach that could improve the plan’s chances of success is to eat regularly with friends and family who share the same objectives of eating healthy in moderate quantities.
The main hurdles to this plan’s success may be stress and distractions. Distractions such as using mobile phones and watching television during meals are major contributors to overeating. Thus, switching off the phone and television during meal times is the solution. Stress is a common cause of overeating; thus, one must exercise frequently and get enough sleep to deal with it (Modrzejewska et al., 2021). After succeeding in dealing with overeating, relapse can be prevented by surrounding oneself with a supportive structure of friends and family who will always be encouraging. Another step is to engage in new interests, such as getting involved with sports or art.
In conclusion, unhealthy habits like overeating can lead to obesity and make one susceptible to chronic diseases such as diabetes. Self-monitoring is the most effective strategy for encouraging behavioral change. Avoiding distractions and lowering stress is essential for achieving positive results.
Reference
Modrzejewska, A., Czepczor-Bernat, K., Modrzejewska, J., & Matusik, P. (2021). Eating Motives and Other Factors Predicting Emotional Overeating during COVID-19 in a Sample of Polish Adults. Nutrients, 13(5), 1658.