Psychological well-being of young people engaged in a group- based weight management programme

Obesity in youth is associated with many psychological adversities yet psychological well-being is infrequently monitored as a primary outcome in weight management programmes. Such programmes have been specifically criticised for increasing the risk of eating disorders (ED) in adolescents who are overweight and have obesity. Therefore this study aimed to look at psychological well-being in a sample of adolescents from the community using a group-based weight management programme.

Eighty-two young people aged 13-17 participated in an online survey assessing depressive symptoms, body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, quality of life and eating disorder psychopathology. A cross sectional and longitudinal design was utilised to assess psychological well-being change over the monitoring period of 3 months and relate to weight change.

Psychological impairment was evident within the sample: 36% showed depressive symptoms, 68% poor quality of life (QoL) and 28 % had disordered eating psychopathology. High ED risk was associated with depressive symptoms, body dissatisfaction and a poorer QoL in comparison to those at low risk of ED. No significant changes were noted across weight status and well-being between phase 1 and phase 2 of the study and change in well-being was not associated with a change in weight. Psychological-wellbeing is impaired in some adolescents using these programmes therefore it is recommended that the impact of psychopathology is considered more thoroughly by monitoring psychological well-being regularly during young peoples’ engagement in these. This will aid evaluative practices and will increase our understanding in this area.