Body Image Disturbance and Dissatisfaction, Scorn and Stigma in Severely Obese Individuals, a Case-Control Study

Background: The obesity rate is rising. The aims of this study were to elucidate the connection among body image disturbance and dissatisfaction, scorn and stigma in severely obese individuals using a case-control method. Method: The study group consisted of 112 individuals receiving permanent disability pensions primarily for obesity. The controls were selected by random sampling. The controls were matched with the subjects by place of residence, gender, age, the time since the pension was granted and occupation. Psychiatric interviews and psychological assessments were conducted with all participants. The results were analyzed via chi-squared tests (χ2-tests) and percent distributions. The subject and control groups were compared via paired t-tests. Conditional logistic regression analysis was also conducted. Results: In the Draw a Person test, we found disorganization of the body image to some degree in the subject group. Some significant differences were found between the Machover index and the wholeness index. The Rorschach variables obtained some differences in the responses between the subject and control groups. Obesity was a problem in all age groups. In the study group, half of the participants thought that they were obese. Most of the participants had endured scorn and contempt directed at them due to being overweight. Conclusions: We believe that our study provides a novel and necessary overview of the connection among body image disturbance and dissatisfaction, scorn and stigma.

The Relationship between Depression and Severe Obesity: A Case-Control Study

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between depression and obesity in severely obese retired individuals using the case-control method. Methods: The subject group consisted of 112 individuals receiving a permanent disability pension primarily due to obesity. The prevalence of depression was measured with a personal psychiatric interview and the Beck Depression Inventory (21). Male and female controls were selected separately, with five controls for male subjects and three controls for female subjects. The controls were matched with the subjects according to place of residence, age, time that pension was granted, and occupation. The statistical analyses included χ2 tests, means, t-tests for paired variables, a conditional logistic linear model, correlation coefficients and the percent distributions. Results: Depression was diagnosed more often in the subject group than in the control group according to the psychiatric interview. Based on the conditional logistic linear model, individuals with severe obesity had a higher risk of depression than those in the control group. The most common disturbance was chronic depression in both groups. Additionally, there were significant findings regarding the outcome of depression for every classification in the psychiatric interview. According to the Beck Depression Inventory, depression was more common in subjects than in controls. However, slight depression was most common in the study group. Seven percent of the subjects had masked depression. The questions on the Beck Depression Inventory that measure irritability, indecisiveness, body image and ability to work were nearly significant. Regarding weight changes, the Beck Depression Inventory questions on both weight loss (p = 0.014) and weight gain (p = 0.017) were statistically significant. In the study group, individuals with BMI over 40 kg/m2 gained the most weight;however, weight loss was very low overall. Regarding changes in appetite, the majority of the study group responded that they had a poorer appetite than previously. Conclusion: This research is essential and provides information on groups that have not been previously examined. The findings from this study can be utilized to improve the care and understanding of individuals with severe obesity.