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Review
. 2024 Feb 7:11:1328386.
doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1328386. eCollection 2024.

Psychological approaches to obesity in young adults: state of the art

Rafaela Alves  1 , Hugues Petitjean  1 , Daria Druzhinenko-Silhan  1
Affiliations
Review

Psychological approaches to obesity in young adults: state of the art

Rafaela Alves et al. Front Nutr. .

Abstract

Background: Obesity has become a significant health concern among young adults aged 18-35 years. Addressing this issue is crucial, and exploring psychological treatments and perspectives specifically for this population is essential.

Methods: This literature review examines psychological treatments for obesity in young adults over the past decade. It focuses on interventions and discussions particularly relevant to this age group.

Discussion: Research on obesity often overlooks young adults, with most interventions primarily focusing on weight loss and neglecting emotional aspects. Cognitive-behavioral approaches are commonly used for self-regulation and motivation, but psychodynamic perspectives remain underutilized. While group-based methods lack a detailed analysis of benefits, hybrid approaches demonstrate higher engagement compared to technology-only interventions. There is a notable gap in tailoring obesity interventions to meet the unique needs of young adults during this transitional life phase. It's imperative to shift the focus from merely weight loss to a broader consideration of psychological, emotional, and unconscious factors. Integrating group modalities with psychodynamic approaches might offer additional benefits.

Conclusion: This review highlights the need for further research into the psychological well-being of young adults with obesity. A more comprehensive approach is required to address their distinct needs and psychological factors.

Keywords: behavioral interventions; body weight; cognitive therapy; obesity prevention; psychodynamic management; psychological strategies; weight management programs; young adult wellness.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart for identification and selection of studies.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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