The Impact of a Multidisciplinary Residential Program (MRP) on Body Composition, Psychological Well-Being, and Hematochemical Parameters in Hospitalized Obese Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a multifactorial condition strongly associated with physical and psychological comorbidities. This study aimed to evaluate changes in psychological symptoms and their correlation with anthropometric and body composition improvements in hospitalized obese patients undergoing a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program (MRP). Methods: A total of 178 obese patients (61 males and 117 females; mean age 58.5 ± 14.0 years; mean BMI 41.3 ± 6.1 kg/m²) completed a two-month structured intervention combining a low-energy Mediterranean-style diet, individualized physical activity, and psychological support. Body composition by DXA, biochemical markers, and psychological outcomes (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI] and Binge Eating Scale [BES]) were assessed at baseline and discharge. Results: At baseline, 72.3% of participants showed depressive symptoms (BDI > 10), and 42.7% exhibited binge eating behaviors (BES ≥ 17). The intervention led to significant reductions in weight (-7.08 kg), BMI (-2.68 kg/m²), fat mass (-4.43 kg), and visceral adipose tissue (-329 g) (all p < 0.001). Mean BDI and BES scores decreased by 5.9 and 6.4 points, respectively (both p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were observed between reductions in adiposity and improvements in psychological symptoms, such as r = -0.45 for depressive symptoms (BDI) and r = -0.39 for binge eating behaviors (BES) (p-values < 0.001). Conclusions: A structured multidisciplinary intervention significantly improved body composition and psychological well-being in hospitalized obese patients. The moderate association between reduced adiposity and alleviation of depressive symptoms and binge eating behaviors underlines the value of integrated physical, nutritional, and psychological care. Level of Evidence: Level 3, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.

Keywords: biochemical parameters; body composition; hospitalized patients; mental health; multidisciplinary intervention; nutritional therapy; obesity; obesity treatment strategies; physical activity; psychological well-being.

Figure 1

Correlation heatmap showing the associations between changes in anthropometric parameters (Δ weight, Δ BMI (body mass index), Δ fat mass, and Δ VAT), psychological test scores (Δ Beck Depression Inventory and Δ Binge Eating Scale), and hematochemical markers (Δ vitamin D, Δ WBC (white blood cells), Δ RBC (red blood cells), Δ HB (hemoglobin), Δ HCT (hematocrit), Δ MCV (mean corpuscular volume), and Δ PLT (platelets)). Each cell displays the numerical r value and a circle scaled according to the strength of the correlation: blue indicates positive correlations; red indicates negative ones. Only associations with p < 0.05 are shown.

Figure 2

Distribution of questionnaire items according to Cronbach’s Alpha values.