Micanti F, Pecoraro G, Mosca P, Riccio F and Galletta D
Introduction: Obesity is now considered as pandemic. 40% of Italian population is overweight or obese. Many studies emphasize the association of obesity with mental disorders specifically depressive and anxiety disorders, substance use disorder, personality disorder. It has to be distinguished from the mental dimensions: impulsivity, mood, anxiety and body image connected to the emotional regulation system producing eating behaviors. Obesity subjects differ in eating behaviors: gorging, snacking, sweeteating, grazing and binge that are characterised by different level of psychopathology. Mental disorders are also associated to eating behaviors. Bariatric surgery is considered gold standard therapy for obesity. However, follow-up studies underline that the association obesity-mental disorders determines weight loss failure. Methods: 2205 obese subjects underwent psychiatric assessment before bariatric surgery. Patients were divided into two groups as result of psychiatric assessment: 1392 obese subjects without association with mental disorders and 813 with mental disorders. These last (mean age 37,63 SD ± 12,07; 181 M, 632 W; mean body mass index (BMI), 45,16 SD ± 12,14) were enrolled in this study. Every patient underwent psychiatric evaluation. The absence of mental disorders was considered an exclusion criteria. Results: In our sample, Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Night Eating Syndrome (NES) have the major prevalence. General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) are also related to obesity. Educational level, in our sample, does not influence in a significant way the mental disorders. Age does not change the psychopathological frame. Conclusion: This study emphasizes that the association between obesity and mental disorders is high among bariatric surgery candidates of our region. The relationship with eating behaviors is connected to the general features of the mental disorders but is not yet clear the reciprocal influences nor why some obese subjects suffer from both and some others does not.
