Depression and alexithymia on weight perception in patients with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Background: Obesity's increasing follows decreased perception of weight status in obese persons, mainly female, undergoing age-related changes. Objective: To study weight perception and psychological alterations associated to MS and T2DM. Methods: 200 patients selected from Metabolic Syndrome Outpatient Clinic of University of Campinas. Instruments: Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety Inventories', Toronto Alexithymia Scale-26s, questionnaire and data from reports. Approved by Unicamp Research Ethic Committee. Results: Patients aged 18-40 years perceived their weight higher than actual (A D. A = D had 4.3 more chances to be alexithymic than A < D. 35% of A D (69%) (p = 0.0018). 50% of A D (34%) (p = 0.007). 3.6 more chances of A > D than A < D using anti-hypertensive drugs (p = 0.021) (≥41 years old) and 3.5 more chances to perceive A = D (41-60 years old) (p = 0.023). A = D presented 3.8 more chances of depression than A < D and 4.3 more chances of alexithymia than A D (45%, p = 0.0091). Conclusions: Age as a period of development, in which cultural influences occurs, was a factor in weight misperception. A < D and A > D were distinct in age, history of obesity and BMI.