Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity: Effects on Healthy - Permanent Weight Loss and Psychological Symptoms

Abstract

Obese individuals are at increased risk for many physical and psychological diseases compared to normal-weight individuals. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach applied to obese patients in an Obesity Center on healthy - permanent weight loss and psychological symptoms. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 50 obese individuals who completed the 12-month (6 modules) Obesity Center Training Program (OCTP). The mean age of the participants was 47.36 ± 12.88, and 96.0% (n = 48) were women. The Body Mass Index (BMI) of the participants with an education level of primary and secondary school was higher. The metabolic age, body weight, BMI, body fat mass, and lean tissue mass of the participants decreased significantly after the 12-month multidisciplinary program OCTP. Concurrently, the participants' mean Beck depression scores decreased significantly from 18.68 ± 7.94 (moderate depression) to 10.56 ± 5.60 (mild depression). There was a highly positive correlation between the depression level (10.56 ± 5.60) and the BMI value of the participants at the end of the program (34.48 ± 4.86). The multidisciplinary approach adopted in the fight against obesity is effective in permanent and healthy weight loss in obese individuals and reduces psychological symptoms. It is crucial that obese individuals are supported by health professionals in the weight loss process.

Keywords

• obesity
• obesity center
• training program
• weight loss
• multidisciplinary approach