Traumatic life events, abuse, and obesity: cross-sectional study from 408 patients enrolled in a bariatric surgery program

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic disease that increases cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality, decreases quality of life, and increases health care costs. While the role of lifestyle behavioral factors in the development of obesity is well established, the role of traumatic life events, including abuse, is unclear. To describe situations of violence and hardship reported by patients undergoing a bariatric surgery program, with a particular focus on sexual violence and its clinical correlates Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients with grade II or III obesity, admitted to our digestive surgery department for bariatric surgery from 01/08/2019 to 31/12/2020, underwent a structured interview by a trained psychologist to describe the history of distressing life events self-reported by the patients. The primary endpoint was the presence of a history of sexual abuse. Multivariate logistic regressions were applied to identify independent risk factors for sexual violence (SV). Results: Of the 408 patients interviewed, 87.1% reported at least one distressing life event and 33.1% reported having had an SV in the past. Female gender (aOR =7.44, 95% CI: 3.85 - 15.73; p<0.001) and higher body mass index (1.05, 1.02 - 1.08; p=0.002) were associated with an increased risk of SV. Male gender was associated with a higher risk of difficulties including sports cessation, depression and work-related distress. Conclusion: In the context of obesity, psychosocial trauma is characterized by a high frequency and several gender specificities that must be taken into account in the management of these patients.