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Psychological benefits of reducing obesity through behavioral and dietary interventions - A case study Mrs.JAYA.C.C,MSC(N),Ph.D RESEARCH SCHOLAR IN WOMEN'S STUDIES, MOTHER TERESA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY,KODAIKANAL ABSTRACT The global epidemic of obesity continues to escalate. Decades of caloric overconsumption combined with reduced energy expenditure has produced an obesogenic environment, which has caused the global prevalence of obesity to double since 1980.It is well documented that weight loss in overweight or obese individuals has significant physiological benefits, eg: reduced risk of diabetes, lowered blood pressure. However, behavioral and dietary interventions have investigated psychological benefit as the primary outcome.Addressing the global obesity crisis requires a whole-population approach to achieve the World Health Assembly's goal of zero global growth in obesity by 2025. Objectives: o To assess the BMI among obese women o To determine the effectiveness of behavioral and dietary interventions among obese women o To compare the Pre- to Post- interventions. Methodology: A case study approach is adopted to evaluate the psychological outcomes of weight loss by following a behavioral and dietary weight loss intervention in obese populations. 15 Samples were selected for the case study. Overweight and obese females who were otherwise healthy with no concurrent disease or clinical psychopathology (for example, cardiovascular disease) were taken as samples. Pre- to Post- interventions were calculated by using descriptive and inferential statistics to indicate the magnitude of change. Results:Changes in self-esteem, depressive symptoms, body image and health related quality of life were evaluated and discussed.: The results also showed that consistent improvements in psychological outcomes concurrent with and sometimes without weight loss. Improvements in body image and health related quality of life were closely related to changes in weight. Although the quality of the studies reviewed was generally acceptable, and the content, duration of intervention and measures used to assess psychological outcomes varied considerably. Conclusion: These interventions are beneficial in preventive, curative and promotive aspects of the management of obesity .Further research is also required to improve the quality of studies