Korean J Obes.  2014 Dec;23(4):281-288. 10.7570/kjo.2014.23.4.281.

Psychological Characteristics of Obese Adult Participants in the Weight Management Program

• Kim H
• Han SN

• KMID: 2271143
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/kjo.2014.23.4.281

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Psychological aspect is an important factor that needs to be taken into consideration in a weight management program for it to be successful and effective. This paper studies the psychological characteristics of the obese people.
METHODS
Forty two obese adults (body mass index 28.4 kg/m2, mean age of 29.4 years) and 23 normal weight adults (body mass index 21.5 kg/m2, mean age of 26.4 years) were studied. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Symptom Checklist (SCL)-90-R were used to measure depression and anxiety, and to evaluate psychological problems. Self-esteem, body shape satisfaction, and self-efficacy were assessed as variables for the psychological aspects of quality of life.
RESULTS
The obese group had higher scores for obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, and psychotic dimensions compared with the normal weight group. The obese group had lower self-esteem and lower body shape satisfaction than the normal weight group, however, obese group's self efficacy was higher than the normal weight group.
CONCLUSION
This study shows that the obese subjects have lower self-respect and lower body shape satisfaction. Therefore, efforts should be made to ease their anxiety regarding their body weight. Care and consideration for their feelings of inferiority should be exerted when weight management program is implemented. In addition, encouragement for self-control and self-determination is recommended.

Keyword

Obesity; Psychological factor; Body shape satisfaction; Self-esteem; Self efficacy

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Anxiety
Body Weight
Checklist
Depression
Humans
Obesity
Psychology
Quality of Life
Self Efficacy