Associations between gender and obesity among adults psychiatric outpatients in the town of Gabes (Tunisia)

Background Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) suffer from two to three times higher rates of obesity, and this has translated into much higher rates of obesity-related morbidity and premature mortality in this population. Aims Measuring the frequency of obesity and its associations with gender, and others socio-demographics factors among 115 adults psychiatric outpatients. Methods A cross-sectional study, was conducted to assess frequency of obesity among 115 adults attending public mental health department in the regional hospital of Gabes (south of Tunisia). For the diagnosis of mental disorders, we used the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-V). Obesity was estimated by body mass index (BMI). This index is defined as the ratio of weight (kg) to squared size (m2). Overweight is defined as a BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2 and obesity by a BMI ≥30 kg/m2. BMI was measured directly and other information was gathered by interview. Results The mean BMI was 25. In our patients, 40.9% were overweight, 49.6% ( n  = 57) were obese including 8.7% ( n  = 10) who were morbidly obese. Obesity was significantly more frequent in women (63.8% vs 39.7%, P  = 0.009), living in a couple (60.9% vs 42%, P  = 0.03) and having a medium or high socioeconomic level (53.3% vs 30.4%, P  = 0.03). There were no differences between obese and non-obese regarding age, level of education and professional status. Conclusion The high prevalence of obesity among women suggests that targeted approaches are needed to promote optimal physical health in this population.