Correlates of Body Image Dissatisfaction in Extremely Obese Female Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Abstract

This study investigated correlates of body image dissatisfaction in 131 extremely obese female bariatric surgery candidates. Female gastric bypass surgery candidates participating in a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation completed a battery of established self-report measures of body image and psychosocial functioning. Nine predictors of body image dissatisfaction were considered: body mass index (BMI), ethnicity, childhood onset of obesity, childhood teasing about weight, binge eating, depression, self-esteem, shame, and perfectionism. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that the nine variables jointly accounted for 48% of the variance; three variables, depression, self-esteem and perfectionism, made significant independent contributions. Our findings highlight the importance of adult psychological functioning (depression, self-esteem and perfectionism) for predicting body image dissatisfaction in extremely obese female bariatric surgery candidates.