1. High frequency of psychopathology in subjects wishing to lose weight: an observational study in Italian subjects.
- Author
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Martinelli V, Colombo O, Nichini C, Repossi I, Vinai P, and Tagliabue A
- Subjects
- Adult, Analysis of Variance, Body Image, Cross-Sectional Studies, Feeding Behavior, Female, Humans, Italy epidemiology, Male, Psychopathology, Weight Loss, Body Mass Index, Feeding and Eating Disorders epidemiology, Mental Disorders epidemiology, Obesity psychology, Thinness psychology
- Abstract
Objective: To investigate the frequency of psychiatric disorders in subjects wishing to lose weight categorized according to BMI., Design: Cross-sectional study., Setting: An academic outpatient clinical nutrition service in Italy., Subjects: A total of 207 subjects (thirty-nine men and 168 women; mean age: 38·7 (sd 14·1) years) consecutively attending the study centre for the first time between January 2003 and December 2006., Results: In the entire study group, eighty-three (40 %) subjects had a psychiatric disorder according to criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision. Eating disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric condition (thirty-six subjects, 17·4 %), followed by mood and anxiety disorders (9·7 % and 8·7 %, respectively). The frequency of psychiatric disorders among different BMI categories was as follows: 75·0 % in underweight, 50·0 % in normal weight, 33·3 % in overweight and 33·3 % in obese subjects., Conclusions: Psychiatric disorders may be frequently found in subjects wishing to lose weight. Our results highlight the importance of psychiatric assessment especially in underweight and normal-weight subjects.
- Published
- 2011
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