engleski

The role of psychiatrist and psychologist in multidisciplinary approach through 5-day weight loss program

Obesity is a growing medical concern among individuals of both genders and various age groups. It is associated with numerous somatic comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, as well as with reduced quality of life, cognitive dysfunction and decreased life expectancy. Moreover, many epidemiological studies have documented a relationship between obesity and psychiatric disorders, namely depression. Weigh and depression usually demonstrate a U-shaped relationship, with higher prevalence of depression observed among underweight and obese individuals. Systematic reviews have suggested a 23% prevalence of major depression among obese persons, while a recent meta-analysis showed that obese people were up to 5 times more likely to develop depressive disorder. This association is bidirectional and is stronger in women than in men. Studies have also reported that losing weight is significantly linked to improvements in depressive symptoms, as well as vice versa. The Croatian Obesity Treatment Referral Center at the Division of Endocrinology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, has implemented a structured 5-day weight loss program. The patients are offered daily consultations with a multidisciplinary healthcare team, some of which are endocrinologist- diabetologist, cardiologist, nutritionist, physiotherapist, psychiatrist, and psychologist. The latter two provide daily psychological support within a 1-hour group setting, in order to facilitate behaviour modifications and help patients cope with new lifestyle habits and possible health concerns. In addition to group support therapy, patients are instructed to fill out several self-report screening instruments, including those examining personality traits, coping styles, subjective well-being, and depression and anxiety symptoms. Based on the normative cut-off scores, as well as clinical judgement obtained through group sessions, some patients are offered more detailed psychodiagnostic assessment and continuous psychiatric and/or psychotherapeutic treatment. Depression and anxiety symptoms are again evaluated 3-6 months after attending the 5-day program.

Obesity, multidisciplinary weight loss program, psychiatrist, psychology

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