TITLE:
Prevalence and Correlates of Obesity and Overweight in Tunisian Bipolar I Patients
AUTHORS:
Asma Ezzaher, Anwar Mechri, Dhouha Haj Mouhamed, Wahiba Douki, Lotfi Gaha, Mohamed Fadhel Najjar
KEYWORDS:
Bipolar I Disorder; Obesity; Overweight
JOURNAL NAME:
Neuroscience and Medicine,
Vol.4 No.3,
September
11,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: We aim to determine the
prevalence of obesity and overweight in bipolar I patients, and to examine
their associations with the demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics
of this population. Patients and Methods: Our study included 120 bipolar I patients (79 men and 41 women,
mean age = 39.5 ± 11.9 years). Weight and height were evaluated by body mass
index (BMI). Obesity was defined when BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and overweight when BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Results: The prevalence of obesity and overweight was respectively 32.5% and 30.8%. Obesity was significantly more frequent in women than men. The illness
duration was significantly longer in obese patients than in those with normal weight.
Moreover, the family history of medical disorders and concomitant medical
disorders was significantly more
frequent in obese patients than in those with normal weight. However, any
significant association between therapeutic characteristics and obesity or
overweight was found. Conclusions: Obesity and overweight were frequent in bipolar I patients. Obesity was
significantly frequent in women and significantly associated with illness
duration, medical disorders, and
concomitant medical disorders. These results emphasized the need for specific treatment strategies and programs for weight
control for these patients.