The relationship between changes in body weight and changes in psychosocial functioning.
Previous studies have indicated that obesity is related to a variety of psychosocial problems. Unfortunately, the literature on the relationship between weight status and psychosocial functioning has primarily utilized clinical samples and cross-sectional designs. The current study prospectively explored the relationship between weight gain and changes in psychosocial functioning. Subjects were 195 women and 204 men recruited as part of a larger longitudinal study of cardiovascular risk factors, who attended assessment sessions once per year for 2 consecutive years. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Family Environment Scale (FES) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale 3rd Edition (FACES-III). Subjects were categorized based on their weight status at each year so the effect of a change in weight status on changes in psychosocial functioning could be evaluated. Multivariate measures indicated no changes in psychosocial functioning as a result of change in weight status over a 1-year period for either men or women. It appears that shifts in body weight, at least in a sample of subjects with generally good levels of psychological functioning, are not associated with changes in the measured levels of psychosocial functioning.
Klesges
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Department of Psychology, Memphis State University, TN 38120.
Klem
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Klesges
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D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003863:Depression; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage