Assessment of motivating and demotivating factors to undergo bariatric surgery in high-risk populations with correlation to generalized anxiety disorder and influence of others: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Very few research have looked at the causes and influences that push individuals into bariatric surgery. Although bariatric surgery is effective in boosting self-esteem, little is known about the precise physical characteristics people want to alter. Methods: This study was a descriptive, correlational cross-sectional study to achieve the objectives of the study. All overweight and obese population in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Study instrument was designed based on the data present in the latest literature. Study tool consisted of: (1) sociodemographic data, (2) motives of bariatric surgery, (3) concerns about bariatric surgery, (4) people affecting the decision of seeking bariatric surgery, and (5) general anxiety disorder scale. Results: The study included 567 participants. More than half of the study participants were females (n = 335, 59.1%). The mean age among study participants was 27.88 years. Most of the participants selected themselves as the main person (n = 329). In the second place comes “person who had the surgery” (n = 72). A family member was prevalent among 59 participants and a friend among 57 participants. The partner has the least frequency. The most common reason was self-esteem among 26% followed by body image among 20%. The most frequent factor was “I am satisfied with my current weight loss method) among 220 participants followed by “I am afraid of any surgery and will avoid it unless absolutely needed” among 51 participants. Conclusion: Bariatric surgery patients want to improve their health and live longer. Several people are dissatisfied with their bodies and seek cosmetic surgery. Patients desire bariatric surgery for their own and their loved ones’, physicians’, and peers’ reasons. This study supports emphasizing the reasons why Jeddah, Saudi Arabia residents choose bariatric surgery and the demotivating issues.