Psychological health in a non-clinical sample of obese women
1998
Hill, A.J. | Williams, J.
OBJECTIVES: The relationship between obesity and psychological health remains unclear. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of obesity on the psychological health of a non-clinical sample of obese women, to investigate binge eating in this group, and to examine the predictors of psychological distress. DESIGN: A cross-sectional comparison of women divided into three obesity groups (body mass index (BMI) 30-34.9 35-39.9, greater than or equal to 40) was used. PARTICIPANTS: 179 women with a BMI > 30 (mean age 45 y) returned a questionnaire included in a subscriber-only magazine for women of size 16 +. MEASURES: The questionnaire asked for information on demographics, weight history and eating behaviour, and included established self-report measures of body shape assessment, body shape satisfaction, dietary restrain mental health state and self-esteem. RESULTS: The heaviest women (BMI greater than or equal to 40) did not differ on measures of mental health, but expressed the greatest dissatisfaction with their body weight, shape and appearance, and had the lowest self-esteem. Frequent binge eating was reported by 25% of all women. Self-esteem and peer relationships, but not body weight, were highly significantly negative predictors of poor mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Poor mental health is not the inevitable consequence even of the most extreme obesity, but is related to both low self-esteem and poor peer relationships. These, and problems with eating control, are features of psychological morbidity that require recognition and therapeutic attention.
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