Psychological health in a non-clinical sample of obese women.

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, > or = 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 restraint, mental health state and self-esteem.

RESULTS

The heaviest women (BMI > 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 significant 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.