Received: 05-Jul-2021 Accepted Date: Jul 19, 2021; Published: 26-Jul-2021

Citation: Silestri MC, Mento C.Changes in body image and obese identity: Notes on the paradox of obesity surgery. Clin Psychol Cog Sci 2021;5(2):1.

This open-access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC) (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits reuse, distribution and reproduction of the article, provided that the original work is properly cited and the reuse is restricted to noncommercial purposes. For commercial reuse, contact reprints@pulsus.com

Abstract

In recent years, the number of cases of obesity has exponentially increased, with approximately 600 million people worldwide currently classified as obese. Bariatric surgery has become one of the main methods of weight loss, being associated with higher long-term weight loss in comparison to conventional treatments, in many cases, post-obese people are still not satisfied with their physical appearance and frequently request further plastic surgery intervention. suggest that obese identity remains unchanged after surgery, Most studies indicate that the most frequent mental disorders over obese patients' lifetime are mood disorders, in depression and eating disorders; as for current mental disorders, anxiety disorders were found to be the most frequent. Literature also shows that the relationship between obesity and mental disorders is stronger among patients with more severe obesity.

Description

In recent years, the number of cases of obesity has exponentially increased, with approximately 600 million people worldwide currently classified as obese. Bariatric surgery has become one of the main methods of weight loss, being associated with higher long-term weight loss in comparison to conventional treatments, in many cases, post-obese people are still not satisfied with their physical appearance and frequently request further plastic surgery intervention. suggest that obese identity remains unchanged after surgery, Most studies indicate that the most frequent mental disorders over obese patients' lifetime are mood disorders, in particular depressio n and eating disorders; as for current mental disorders, anxiety disorders were found to be the most frequent. Literature also shows that the relationship between obesity and mental disorders is stronger among patients with more severe obesity.

Body image is the psychological representation of one’s body and is a complex construct to describe because includes psychological, cognitive, affective and behavioral factors. Furthermore, includes a social component as it is influenced by the attitude and interest that others feel towards our body [1,2]. Slade showed that body image describes the way in which the individual perceives his own body image, the way we think about our body, it involves an experiential part, the feeling we have for our body, and the way we “treat” our body through for example nutrition, physical exercise, plastic surgery [3]. Interaction and participation reduce the psychological burden of obesity (you are not 'alone' in your illness) and you can build on the experiences of others (suggestions, sharing experiences, alternative strategies to your own etc.).

The large majority of obese people has a negative body image, that indicates a discomfort related to body image dissatisfaction, and this condition can be manifested by frequent control of weight, such as obese patients feel uncomfortable and dissatisfied with their physical appearance, they have a wrong perception of their image, and consequently diminish their selfesteem [4-6]. Previous studies showed that 74% percent of overweight people have a distortion about their body image and feel uncomfortable and often dissatisfied with their physical aspect [7,8]. The scientific panorama showed that body image does not change immediately after bariatric surgery, because these patients will be difficult to adapt for a new body, because there is a persistent obese view of self [9-11].

In the light of that, explaining the phenomena through which body image is fundamental to understand if, and how this does not change after measures like bariatric surgery. It is important for understanding the obese paradox in patients, which reduction of the weight is not associated immediately to reduction space of the brain (location on the body image structured). In this situation the treatment efficacy encompasses psychological therapies, the central goal of most bariatric patients’ management programs based on psychological therapy principles is to help patients to better handle problems evolved around maladaptive emotions, cognition and behavior rather than focusing on the maladaptive emotions to reduce [4].

Finally we would say that Obesity identity is related to lifelong body image and is an important factor affecting post-operative results. It is strongly recommended to conduct longitudinal research based on ideal body image before and after bariatric surgery, and to conduct controlled evidence-based research on psychotherapy for dissatisfaction with body image. Psychotherapy can improve the quality of body image and well-being.

REFERENCES

1. Mento C, Le Donne M, Crisafulli S et al. BMI at early puerperium: Body image, eating attitudes and mood states. J Obstetr Gynaecol. 2017;37(4):428-434.
2. Monpellier VM, Antoniou EE, Mulkens S, et al. Body image dissatisfaction and depression in postbariatric patients is associated with less weight loss and a desire for body contouring surgery. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018;14(10):1507-1515.
3. Slade PD. What is body image? Behav Res Ther. 1994.
4. Gullo S, Lo Coco G, Pazzagli C, et al. A time-lagged, actor–partner interdependence analysis of alliance to the group as a whole and group member outcome in overweight and obesity treatment groups. J Couns Psychol. 2014;61(2):306-313.
5. Mento C, Silvestri MC, Muscatello MR, et al. The role of body image in obese identity changes post bariatric surgery. Eat Weight Disord Stud Anorex Bulim Obes. 2021;20:1.
6. Mento C, Silvestri MC, Bruno A, et al. Body image and obese identity in bariatric patients. In: Psychological factors and clinical management. Ser Psychol Res Prog. 2021;BISAC:PSY036000.
7. Perdue TO, Schreier A, Swanson M, et al. Majority of female bariatric patients retain an obese identity 18-30 months after surgery. Eat Weight Disord Stud Anorex Bulim Obes. 2020;25:357-364.
8. Perdue TO, Schreier A, Swanson M, et al. Evolving self-view and body image concerns in female postoperative bariatric surgery patients. J Clin Nurs. 2018;27(21-22):4018-4027.
9. Geller S, Levy S, Goldzweig G, et al. Psychological distress among bariatric surgery candidates: the roles of body image and emotional eating. Clin Obes. 2019;9(2): e12298.
10. Nickel F, Schmidt L, Bruckner T et al. Influence of bariatric surgery on quality of life, body image, and general self-efficacy within 6 and 24 months-a prospective cohort study. Surg Obes Relat Dis 2017;13(2):313-319.
11. Segura-García C, Papaianni MC, Rizza P, et al. The development and validation of the body image dimensional assessment (BIDA). Eat Weight Disord Stud Anorex Bulim Obes. 2012;17(3):e219-e225.