Predictors of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze medical and psychosocial variables among gender and morbidly obese (Class III) and super obese (Class IV) groups to examine their associations with anxiety and depression symptoms and to determine predictive factors for anxiety and depression symptoms. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with a sample of 546 obese patients. Medical, sociodemographic, anxiety, depression, and eating disorder information were obtained from all participants. Results: The study included 358 women (65.6%) with an average age of 42.71 (Standard deviation [SD] = 10.50) years, and 188 men (34.4%) whose average age was 41.80 (SD = 9.13) years. We found that eating disorder symptoms were positive and statistically significant predictors of anxiety and depression symptoms (p < 0.001). This finding was confirmed by multiple linear regression analysis (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Among Class III and IV obese patients, eating disorder symptoms were clearly associated with anxiety and depression levels. Therefore, interventions directed toward these symptoms would likely be beneficial.