Introduction: Obesity is a public health challenge. Over the past few years, interest in the psychological determinants of obesity among women has increased. These determinants are related to stress, coping styles, emotions, eating disorders and mood. Many studies indicate that they can affect eating behavior and translate into physical activity levels, which can result in excessive body weight and lead to obesity. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of psychological determinants (stress, emotional disturbances, unhealthy eating habits) on the incidence of obesity in women. Material and methods: 232 women participated in the study, but due to the inclusion criterion not being met, two hundred questionnaires were finally analyzed. The inclusion criterion for the study was female gender, age above 18 years, prevalence of obesity or normal weight. The survey used the CAWI method. This is a method that uses computer and Internet technology. The survey was conducted, using a proprietary questionnaire. Based on BMI, the respondents were divided into two groups: women with obesity and women with normal weight (comparison group). The data was collected and processed in an MS Excel database and the resulting data was analyzed using basic descriptive methods. Results: The 200 women studied were in the age range of 18-59 years. In both the obese and normal weight groups, the largest number of women were in the 18-29 age range. Respondents with obesity were more likely to declare that they were/are dieting and starving, that they regularly smoke cigarettes, that they are marked by lower levels of physical activity, that they consume a greater amount of highly processed food under the influence of negative emotions, that the negative emotions they feel translate into greater food consumption, that they do not feel attractive, that they dislike many parts of their bodies, and that they would be afraid of someone else's evaluation of their appearance, compared to normal weight women. No significant differences were noted, between the groups, about the amount of food consumed and the level of sociability. Conclusions: There are noticeable correlations, between psychological determinants and obesity. However, it is not possible to say conclusively whether it is the psychological determinants that have a greater impact on the incidence of obesity, or vice versa. Further research is needed on this issue, which would be helpful and effective in preventing and treating the spreading obesity epidemic, including among men.
Słoma-Krześlak et al. (Tue,) studied this question.