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Research has widely demonstrated that religiosity is related to psychological well-being even in situations of severe illness. To assess religious beliefs, explicit measures have generally been used. In this study, we measured the belief that God is reality as opposed to myth or abstraction by using an implicit technique (the Single Category Implicit Association Test). The study was carried out in Italy, where a large majority of the population is Catholic, and the prevailing image of God is that of a compassionate and supportive father. Participants were cancer patients identifying themselves as believers. As expected, the automatic belief that God is reality (vs. abstraction) was related to beneficial outcomes: lower reported psychophysical anxiety symptoms and a weaker use of avoidance strategies to cope with stress. Thus, also, automatic religious beliefs may affect feelings and behaviors.

To understand the complexity of the obese condition, this article reports all the aspects involved in the care and treatment of obese people. In the first part are retrieved practical, technical, and medical features. Even though it seems obvious, an adequate setting and devices are essential in the proper planning of care. Also a qualified and adequate medical team composed not only of medicals and nurses but other health professionals, such as dietitians, psychologists, and physical trainers, is fundamental. In the second part are examined the psychological aspects, both in the obese situation and during weight loss. Obese people present low self-esteem, a negative body image, depression, and anxiety. They are victims of discriminations, prejudice, and bullying. It is important, during weight loss, to help them to control their eating impulse, in particular the binge eating, and prevent relapse.