Psychological characteristics of patients from obesity treatment program in Gdańsk

Aim of this study was to describe the population of patients entering obesity treatment and identify potential targets for psychotherapeutic interventions. 572 consecutive patients of obesity treatment programme at University Clinical Center in Gdansk (364 females, 208 males) were assessed with Self Esteem Scale, Body Esteem Scale, Eating Attitudes Test, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale and Short Form Health Survey. Preference for surgical treatment is positively correlated with younger age, higher BMI and consumption of highly processed and palatable food. Emotional eating was confirmed by 63,6% of participants and it was correlated with depressive symptoms but not with BMI value. Quality of life and self-esteem were lower than reference values. Independent predictors for decreased quality of life were higher age, greater BMI, higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower global self-esteem. Results of this study are the first step to identify psychological factors correlated with outcomes of obesity treatment. Together with follow-up data they will serve to design a tailored psychological intervention. It seems that quality of life, depressive and anxiety symptoms, emotional eating and global self-esteem may be of greatest importance. III