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Background: Overweight, weight cycling,
and obesity are major health risks with
psychological effects that should not be overlooked by
mental health professionals.
Method: This article examines behavioral
and other factors associated with weight, weight changes, and obesity in 3940
college-educated women, using data from responses to
self-administered mailed questionnaires received from
fall 1996 to winter 1997.
Results: The mean age of the women was
53.6 years, SD = 12.2. Body mass indexes, prevalence of obesity, and behavioral practices were
more favorable than those of women in the general U.S. population. The mean body mass index
of the sample was 23.3; median, 22.5; 6.5% were obese, 5% currently smoked, and 68%
exercised regularly. Over the past 10 years, 31%
maintained the same weight, 11% lost weight, 48%
gained weight, and 10% gained and lost weight.
Women who both gained and lost weight were more
likely to report physician-diagnosed depression,
alcoholism, and/or drug dependencies compared to women in the other 3 categories; the
multivariable odds ratios are 1.48 (95% CI = 1.07,
2.05) versus those who maintained their weight,
1.38 (95% CI = 1.06, 1.80) versus those who gained weight, and 1.53 (95% CI = 1.06, 2.21)
versus those who lost weight. Those who both lost
and gained weight were also more likely to report having to forgo mental health care for
financial reasons; the respective multivariable odds
ratios versus those who maintained their weight,
gained weight, and lost weight are 2.01 (95%
CI = 1.28, 3.16), 2.21 (95% CI = 1.52, 3.22), and 2.19
(95% CI = 1.23, 3.89).
Conclusion: These findings affirm the
view that mental health care deserves attention in
the treatment of patients with problems with
weight changes and weight control.
Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry 2007;9(1):42-47
https://doi.org/10.4088/PCC.v09n0107
© Copyright 2007 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.