Background

Health concerns related to obesity can impact potential patients seeking bariatric surgery. These health factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions are common co-morbid obesity concerns. Research into variables and conditions that may affect presurgical bariatric patients' decision to pursue comprehensive bariatric services have been studied in this single site clinic.

Methods

Forty one patients ranging in age from 19 years to 68 years (33 females and 8 males, mean age 42.74 years with mean education of 13.41 years, (sd = 1.95). Group average BMI (kg/m2) = 47.32 Patients were administered a standardized assessment tool prior to their surgical procedure.

Results

Using a multiple regression analysis, body mass index (kilograms) was a predictor of somatic/health concerns, F (4 ,30) = 3.243, p < .05. R squared was 0.30 suggesting 30% of the variance of the dependent variable is explained by the independent variable. Adjusted R = 20% suggesting that BMI was highly associated with reported generalized somatic concerns. No other independent variables entered the regression model.

Conclusions

As stated, current BMI was a strong predictor of health concerns among our pre-surgical bariatric population. The bariatric population shows concern regarding their physical health, medical conditions, and the cognitive awareness of sustaining healthy lifestyle remains of concern. The ability to independently identify these somatic health concerns supports the importance of assisting this patient group with health options offered by their bariatric surgeon and bariatric surgical team.