Benefits of Group Psychotherapy Programs in the Treatment of Obesity

Benefits of a Psychotherapy Group Program as Oppossed to the Standard Method in the Treatment of Obesity. A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Obesity has reached pandemic proportions in recent years, affecting not only the physical health, but also the mental health, of obese people. According to Spain's National Health Survey 2011-12, the prevalence of obesity in the adult population of Spain was 17%, having increased by 2.5% since 2006. Therefore, a constant and worrying increase in the prevalence of obesity is being observed, which is having a great impact, both individually, in terms of health and quality of life, and socially, inter alia, by raising health expenditure due to increased morbidity. In this context, the desirability of a comprehensive approach that includes psychological intervention in attending obese patients (Rev Cochrane, 2006), has been given greater prominence. Paying attention to the emotional and psychopathological aspects related to obesity has proven to be an action that could have positive impact on obesity intervention models. The aim of this project is to measure, through a clinical trial, the efficacy of a psychotherapy group program for obesity patients who are attended by the consulting endocrinologist at the Infanta Leonor Hospital (Madrid). The impact of body mass index, psychological wellbeing, psychopathology and quality of life of two experimental study groups will be compared, one a control group of patients that follows the standard treatment, the other an experimental group that follows not only the standard treatment, but also the psychotherapy group intervention program.

Added to standard treatment patients will participate in a standardized group of psychological intervention. 21 sessions with 10 to 12 members closed-ended groups.

disfunctional eating behavior assessed by Eating Disorders Inventory 3rd Edition (EDI-3). T score. It is an index calculated by combining 3 scales: drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, and bulimia

Motivation to change assessed by University of Rhode Island Change Assessment (URICA). 4 scales are measured: precontemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance.

Inclusion Criteria: Age older than 18 and younger than 65. Body mass index of 30 or higher. Candidate to a specific obesity treatment. Accept psychological attention. Able to understand and consent participation. Able to speak, write and read in Spanish. Committed to assist weekly for 6 months Non-inclusion Criteria: Obesity related to a non- stabilized hormonal disorder. Severe mental disorders requiring specific treatment resources. Cognitive or sensitive deficits. Having had bariatric surgery within last 2 years. Exclusion criteria: Pregnancy during treatment Bariatric surgery during treatment Addictive disorder as a principal diagnosis.