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The Impact of Environmental Factors on Weight Loss
We often think about the actions we take – our nutrition and exercise, for example – when it comes to weight loss. What we forget, however, is that our surroundings also play a role in how successfully we are able to achieve our weight loss goals. Environmental factors can have a significant impact on our health, and if we want to create an environment in which our weight loss efforts are successful, we must take these into consideration.
Affordance Theory and the Home Environment
A key concept within environmental factors is affordance theory. This describes how an environment can offer the potential to act in specific ways, allowing individuals to access certain behaviors or activities. For example, a kitchen filled with junk food or sugary drinks offers the idea of eating unhealthy.
It is important, then, to be aware of home environment and how this could be influencing not just your current eating habits, but also your future nutrition choices. Those who have access to healthy food in their kitchen have increased physical and nutritional access, setting them up for healthy eating habits.
Your Social and Home Composition
The people you live with can play a significant part in influencing the types of foods you have available. If the people around you are unhealthily stocked with packaged, unhealthy snacks, then it is likely that this same food will be bought and consumed in the home.
It is also worth considering the social aspects of your home composition. The behaviours of those around you, such as overeating or lack of physical exercise, can significantly contribute to a less healthy environment.
Table Settings and Home Etiquette
Other factors that are worth considering when assessing the role of the home environment are table settings and home etiquette. Eating meals at the table, apart from the distractions in front of the television, can divert attention away from unhealthy snacks and encourage mindful eating.
Home etiquette is also important. Dining as a family can provide benefits such as encouraging a sense of community, as it gives members an opportunity to connect with one another.
Creating a Healthier Home Environment
Having considered the three aspects of environmental influences, there are several steps we can take to create a healthier home environment for weight loss.
Stock the kitchen with healthy food – Make sure that healthy snacks are readily available, such as fruits, nuts and beans.
Promote physical activity – Be active as a family, encouraging each other to stay on track with regular exercise. Encourage hobbies that involve movement, such as gardening or jogging.
Promote mindful eating – Eating meals at the table, away from television and other distractions, can help to reduce overeating and poor nutrition choices.
Limit access to unhealthy food – Restrict access to unhealthy snacks, so that they are not readily available in the home, and do not become a regular part of meals.
Encourage healthy behaviors – Make sure that everyone in the home understands the role of a healthy lifestyle. Monitor snacking and physical activity and give positive reinforcement for healthy behaviors.
Creating a healthier home environment can help to ensure success in achieving weight loss goals. By understanding environmental influences and taking action to eliminate unhealthy habits, individuals can create an environment conducive to long-term health and healthy weight management.
