Psychiatric co-morbidities in patients attending specialist obesity services in the UK

Background: The prevalence of obesity is rising, but little is known about its psychosocial correlates. Aim: To assess psychological co-morbidities and impairment of quality of life in obese individuals seeking treatment at two specialist centres in the UK. Design: Retrospective analysis of anthropometric and questionnaire data collected at initial clinic visit. Methods: Patients attending for a first visit between April 2004 and March 2005 completed questionnaires that included scales for measurement of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), eating disorder-behaviour (Eating Disorder Inventory 2), assessment of body image (Body Image Assessment for Obesity) and quality of life (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite). We examined the relationships between variables measured on these scales and anthropometric data. Results: Of 253 questionnaires evaluated, there were elevated scores for depression in 48%, and elevated scores for anxiety in 56%. Twenty-two percent demonstrated scores suggestive of a personality trait that overlaps with an eating disorder; an additional 11.5% had an elevated score for bulimia. About a third of individuals had significant impaired quality of life in the areas of examined. Discussion: Psychological co-morbidities are common in obese individuals attending specialist weight-management clinics, and may merit consideration at (or before) commencement of a weight loss programme.