Psychological Prerequisites for Preventing Cardiovascular Diseases among Overweight Train Crew Members

Abstract

We studied the psychological aspects of excess body weight gain in train crew members aiming to determine the measures of psychological prevention of risk factors for cardiovascular complications and obesity. The sample included 105 men aged 25—55. Methods: surveys, Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), Subjective Control Level Scale (based on J. Rotter’s locus of control), Body Mass Index (BMI). Results: BMI identified three groups of men: normal, overweight and obese. In all groups, the external type of eating behavior prevails (stress eating). In obese men, the restrictive type of eating behavior is significantly higher, and the internality in family relationships, in the area of failure, and the overall internality are significantly lower, which indicates difficulties in coping with stress. Conclusion: Overweight individuals have a maladaptive type of eating behavior, low internality in significant situations, that can be considered as targets for psychological prevention in the development of psychological assistance programs.

Keywords

• excessive weight
• type of eating behavior
• subjective locus of control
• targets of psychological prevention of cardiovascular diseases