[Risk factors and alteration of depression among participants of an inpatient weight loss program].

INTRODUCTION

The recent research on psychological aspects of obesity is aimed to identify the risk factors, and also to reveal the direction of the causal relationships between obesity and its correlates. The latest model of obesity suggests bi-directional causal relationship between obesity and common mental health disorders, which is mediated and moderated by several factors. The main goal of the study was to examine risk factors of depression.

METHODS

Prospective, six months long, questionnaire-based research. Study sample consisted of patients who participated in the inpatient weight loss treatment program in the Lipidological Department of Szent Imre Hospital (n=339, 19% men). The mean age was 50.2 years (SD=13.47 years, range 18-85 years). The mean BMI was 38.6 kg/m² (SD=7.58 kg/m², range 25.1-79.3 kg/m²).

MEASURES

sociodemographic data; self-reported anthropometric data; self-evaluation of health condition; type and numbers of treated illnesses; CES-D Depression Scale; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; Body Shape Questionnaire - Short Form 14; Social Support in Weight Loss Efforts Scale.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent of the participants had clinical depression. Moreover, the risk for developing depression in women was two and a half times more than for men. Higher body dissatisfaction (OR=1.06, p<.001), lower self-esteem (OR=.77, p<.001), and lower level of social support (OR=.93, p=.049) emerged as risk factors of clinical depression. Body dissatisfaction mediated, and gender moderated the relationship between obesity and depression. Five percent of the participants reported statistically reliable improvement in relation to depression. Weight loss associated improvements in depression (ß=.20, p=.006).

CONCLUSION

Results support the explanatory variables and risk factors of depression in the case of obesity. Weight loss enhanced improvements in depression. Considering the high prevalence rate of depression the completion of the inpatient weight loss treatment with depression screening methods and the organization of the diversion would also be reasonable.