title: Pursuing bariatric surgery in an urban area: Gender and racial disparities and risk for psychiatric symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bariatric surgery is effective for weight loss; however, only a small percentage of those who qualify choose to pursue it. Additionally, although psychiatric symptoms appear to be common among candidates, the risk factors for symptoms are not known. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of those who are pursuing bariatric surgery in an urban area, whether demographic disparities continue to exist, and identify characteristics of those who may be at higher risk for experiencing psychiatric symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  There were 424 bariatric candidates who completed a required psychological evaluation prior to bariatric surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bariatric surgery candidates tended to be middle-aged, Caucasian females, which was unexpected when compared to the rates of obesity among these groups. Therefore, it appears that there are disparities in who chooses to seek out bariatric surgery compared to those who may qualify due to their obesity status. Cultural factors may play a role in why males and African Americans seek out bariatric surgery less frequently. Psychiatric symptoms among candidates are also common, with depression symptoms increasing with age and BMI. Perhaps the compounding effects of medical comorbidities over time are contributing to greater depressive symptoms in the older patients. Findings from this study suggest that we may need to explore ways of encouraging younger patients, males, and ethnic minorities to pursue bariatric surgery to increase weight loss success and decrease medical comorbidities.
authors: Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System, United States. Electronic address: lmatero1@hfhs.org.
authors: Lisa Renee
authors: LR
authors: Miller-Matero
authors: Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System, United States.
authors: Erin T
authors: ET
authors: Tobin
authors: Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System, United States.
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: Clark
authors: Behavioral Health, Henry Ford Health System, United States.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Eshelman
authors: General Surgery, Henry Ford Health System, United States.
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Genaw
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Anxiety; Bariatric surgery; Depression; Disparities