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. 2017 May 15;15(1):103.
doi: 10.1186/s12955-017-0675-z.

Predictors of physical and mental health in persons with morbid obesity attending a patient education course - a two-year follow-up study

Anners Lerdal  1   2 , Caryl L Gay  3   4 , Tore Bonsaksen  5   6 , May Solveig Fagermoen  7
Affiliations

Predictors of physical and mental health in persons with morbid obesity attending a patient education course - a two-year follow-up study

Anners Lerdal et al. Health Qual Life Outcomes. .

Abstract

Background: People with morbid obesity (body mass index ≥40) may experience changes in their health after participating in a tailored patient education course. The aims of this study were to assess the changes in physical and mental health in persons with morbid obesity during the 2 years following an educational course and to explore possible socio-demographic, treatment, and personal predictors of physical and mental health outcomes.

Methods: In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, self-report questionnaire data were collected from people with morbid obesity at the beginning of mandatory educational courses while on a waiting list for gastric surgery and at two-year follow-up. Of the 185 who attended the courses, 142 (77%) volunteered to participate in the study, and the 59 with complete data at the two-year follow-up were included in the analysis. Physical and mental health were measured with the physical and mental component summary scores from the Short Form 12v2. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and self-efficacy by the General Self-Efficacy Scale.

Results: The participants reported better physical health at two-year follow-up than at baseline. Mental health did not change significantly over time. Receiving surgical treatment during the study period predicted better physical health at two-year follow-up, even after controlling for physical health at baseline. Mental health at baseline was the only significant baseline predictor of mental health at follow-up. However, increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy over the two-year study period independently predicted better mental health at follow up after controlling for mental health at baseline.

Conclusion: Our study showed that people with morbid obesity on a waiting list for bariatric surgery improved their physical health during the 2 years after attending a tailored patient educational course. Improving self-esteem and self-efficacy may be important personal factors for maintaining mental health during this period.

Trial registration: NCT01336725 . Registered 14 April 2011.

Keywords: Coping; Health-related quality of life; Obesity; Patient education; Personal factors; Self-efficacy; Self-esteem.

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