Prevalence of mental disorders in normal-weight and obese individuals with and without weight loss treatment in a German urban population.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence rates of mental disorders in normal-weight individuals and obese individuals with and without weight loss treatment.

Methods: A sample of 251 participants in a conventional weight loss treatment, 153 pre-bariatric surgery patients, 174 normal-weight control participants, and 128 obese control participants not actively losing weight at the time of the investigation were examined.

Results: Lifetime prevalence rates of mental disorders in obese women ranged from 46.7% to 60.1% compared with 41.7% in normal-weight women and from 48.0% to 54.4% in obese men compared with 29.8% in normal-weight men. Prevalence rates of mental disorders did not differ significantly between normal-weight and obese women not currently in weight loss treatment; however, the rates were significantly lower compared with both obese treatment groups. Compared with normal-weight men, obese men not currently in weight loss treatment and obese men participating in conventional weight loss treatment showed significantly higher prevalence rates of mental disorders.

Conclusion: Unlike obese male individuals, obese female participants not currently in weight loss treatment did not differ from normal-weight participants with regard to comorbidity of mental disorders. However, obese female participants who were engaged in weight loss treatment exhibited significantly higher prevalence rates than normal-weight participants.