INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, representing one of the major threats to public health in the 21st century. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people with obesity has exceeded 1 billion, highlighting the scale of the problem. This necessitates a comprehensive treatment approach, which, in addition to tailored dietary therapy and increased physical activity, includes psychotherapy to correct eating behavior and emotional disorders. AIM: To systematize approaches to the complex treatment of overweight and obese patients using various methods of psychotherapy. CONCLUSION: Analysis has demonstrated that psychotherapy plays a crucial role in the comprehensive treatment of obesity, particularly in cases accompanied by eating disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown the highest efficacy, aiding patients in modifying their eating habits while also alleviating symptoms of anxiety/depression and promoting sustained weight loss. Additionally, acceptance and commitment therapy has proven effective by enhancing psychological flexibility and value-driven behavior. Group therapy formats further improve outcomes through social support, and combining psychotherapy with adherence to medical nutrition therapy and increased physical activity enhances overall treatment effectiveness. Motivational interviewing helps overcome patient resistance, while a personalized approach accounts for individual differences. Online psychotherapy has emerged as an important modality, improving treatment accessibility. Furthermore, psychotherapy reduces the risk of relapse by addressing the underlying causes of overeating.
Savchenko et al. (Tue,) studied this question.