Obesity; It`s all in the mind
As bariatric surgeries become more common in UAE, experts urge psychological assessment as a critical first step
Among the increasing numbers of the obese in the UAE, many are opting for bariatric surgery to shed excess body fat. But that’s not the only story here. A critical element in ensuring a satisfactory outcome for this surgery is a thorough psychological assessment, states a research conducted by the UAE University in Abu Dhabi.
A team of researchers decided to study the psychological characteristics that may potentially complicate the surgical management of obesity, the study said, as the issue has immense value in ensuring that patient’s weight management post-surgery is optimised.
The study saw psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression and disturbance of self-image being common among many of the respondents, especially those who were severely obese, Dr Ossama Osman, associate professor at the UAE University’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, told Gulf News.
These conditions may often complicate the surgical management of obesity, the study
found. For the purposes of the study, a total of 105 patients attending a bariatric clinic in Al Ain’s Tawam Hospital were surveyed — 70 per cent of them were women.
Nearly 40 per cent of these participants said they felt that their obesity interfered with their performance of religious duties, and about 35 per cent said it affected their ability to engage with family and friends or complete household tasks.
Anxiety, depression
At the same time, 24 per cent of participants exhibited symptoms of anxiety, while 13 per cent showed depressive symptoms, which negatively affected their quality of life.
“The recognition, assessment, and treatment of these symptoms would be conducive to ensuring positive outcomes for bariatric surgery,” Dr Osman advised.
In the UAE, it is mandated that patients undergo psychological assessment and lifestyle modifications for up to six months prior to bariatric surgery.
“We have to opt for different kinds of surgery based on the patient’s eating behaviour, and these can only be determined through psychological evaluations,” said Dr Toufic Ata, consultant for general surgery at Medeor 24x7 Hospital in Abu Dhabi
For example, a patient who eats large quantities of food can benefit from a sleeve gastrectomy, which reduces the stomach’s ability to take in and store food, the surgeon explained.
“On the other hand, a reduction in mere stomach capacity would not benefit those who binge in spurts throughout the day or eat small calorie-laden foods regularly, so we would advise gastric bypass surgery for them,” he said.