Effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients receiving weight management interventions on eating behaviours and health-related quality of life.

Abstract

The rapid rise in obesity prevalence is life-style related and tackling this problem requires a pro-active multi-faceted approach to management. A private health care provider in Melbourne, Australia, developed a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program for patients who had undergone bariatric surgery or receiving pharmacological weight loss treatments. The study aim was to assess the programs’ effect on patients’ quality of life, mental well-being, and eating behaviours.

Methods A prospective, observational, before and after study design was used. A total of 54 patients, 27 who had bariatric surgery and 27 receiving pharmacotherapy participated. Outcome measures were: change in weight and BMI, intuitive eating scale, impact of weight on quality of life scale and the depression, anxiety and stress scale.

Results Both medical and surgical patients reported improvements in their health-related quality of life and eating behaviours. Despite this, at program completion 71.4% of patients who had bariatric surgery reported severe anxiety and 52.4% severe stress levels.

Conclusion Participation in a rehabilitation program that provided patients with peer support and access to expert advice supported patients to make healthy eating choices and improved their quality of life. The high prevalence of stress and anxiety related symptoms highlights the need to provide individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery with ongoing mental health support.