Psychological disorder, symptom severity and weight loss in inpatient adolescent obesity treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate whether psychological disorders and symptom severity hamper weight loss in obese adolescents and explored the effect of evidence-based adolescent obesity treatment on psychological disorders and symptom severity.

METHOD

Participants were 66 adolescents admitted for a 10-month obesity treatment programme. At the start of treatment both clinical interviews and self-report questionnaires were administered. Weight loss was registered at several time points. Half of the sample was invited to complete questionnaires and be interviewed once again at the end of the programme.

RESULTS

Baseline degree of overweight was the strongest predictor of weight loss. The presence of at least one psychological disorder appeared a negative predictor of weight loss after four months. At post-test, a decrease in eating, shape and weight concern and binge eating episodes was demonstrated. A similar trend was found for internalizing symptoms. All eating disorders resolved, but a substantial number of adolescents still suffered from psychological disorders at the end of treatment.

CONCLUSION

During inpatient obesity treatment, youngsters who are more severely obese lose most weight. In girls and in adolescents suffering from psychological disorders, long-term care should be the aim to prevent an experience of failure. From a psychological health perspective, the inclusion of psychotherapy during inpatient obesity treatment for adolescents suffering from psychiatric disorders is worth considering. All together, the findings of this study demonstrate the importance of adopting both a medical and a psychological perspective on obesity (treatment) in youth.