Study of Psychosocial Problems Associated with Obesity

Abstract

Summary I n the past twenty years, an increase in the percent of obese individuals hadbecome a major concern of countries worldwide. Obesity defines as state of imbalance between calories ingested versus calories expended which would lead to excessive or abnormal fat accumulation. The prevalence of obesity was reaching an alarming rate, and continuous rise in all age group of many of the developed countries in the world. Statistical data revealed that, the problem of obesity had increased from 12-20% in men and from 16-25% in women. In Egypt, obesity constitute 14, 63% from total population. Obesity was the most common nutritional disorder in both rich and poor communities and considers a serious chronic medical condition. Obesity is becoming a worldwide problem that causes not only medical consequences but also disturbance in psychosocial functioning. Aim of the study: This study aimed at assessing the psychological and social problems associated with obesity. This aim was achieved through answering the following question: - What are the psychosocial problems associated with obesity. Research seating: The study was carried out in the National Nutritional Institute. Research subjects: The subjects of this study include 100 patients at the National Nutrition Institute. Patients were selected under the following criteria: • Age range: from 20 to 35 years. • Sex: male and female. • BMI: exceeding 30 kg/m2. Tool of data collection: Part (1):Socio-demographic characteristics, physical health status, obesity treatment, exercise habitsof the samplePart (2):Scales for psychosocial problems associated with obesity. Data collection was carried out along 3 months period.

The study revealed the following findings: • More than halfof the sample under study (53%) were≤ 30years old, more than half of them (52%) were females. • More than three quarters of the sample under study (79%) had negative body image, less than three quarters of them (63%) has low self-esteem and the majority of them (84%) high in social problems. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0.05) between body image with Social Problems. • Statistically high significant relation (p≤0.001) between social problems with self-esteem. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0.05) betweenself- esteemwith gender. • There was statistically significant relation (p≤0.05) between social problemswith age group, monthly income and distance to work. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0.05) betweenself- esteemwith type of physical diseases. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0.05) between body image with type of physical disease. • Statistically significant relations (p≤0.05) between social problems with inherit obesity and time long of obesity. • Statisticallyhighlysignificant relation (p≤0.001) between social problemsand type of obesity treatment. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0, 05) between body image and daily activities. • Statistically significant relation (p≤0, 05) between social problems and time of exercise. The study concludes that certain socio demographic variables were significantly associated with obesity. Most of the samples under study have negative body image; most of them have low self-esteem and the majority of them high in social problems. There was effect of negative body image on social problems, and there was significant relation between social problems with self-esteem.Obesity affectsoneself-esteem in female more than male.