High frequency of psychopathology in subjects wishing to lose weight: an observational study in Italian subjects.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency of psychiatric disorders in subjects wishing to lose weight categorized according to BMI.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
An academic outpatient clinical nutrition service in Italy.


METHODS
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.
Department of Health Sciences, Human Nutrition and Eating Disorders Research Centre, University of Pavia, via Bassi 21, I-27100 Pavia, Italy. valentina.martinelli@unipv.it
Valentina
V
Martinelli
Ottavia
O
Colombo
Cristiano
C
Nichini
Ilaria
I
Repossi
Piergiuseppe
P
Vinai
Anna
A
Tagliabue
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D011599:Psychopathology; D013851:Thinness / Q000523:psychology*; D015431:Weight Loss