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Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare metacognitive beliefs and body satisfaction on self-esteem between obese and nonobese healthy subjects. Research also aims to highlight the role of metacognitions in obesity and self-esteem in obese people. Despite the role of metacognition in psychopathology, there is no comprehensive data about obesity in this area.
Methods: 55 subjects with obesity and 47 healthy individuals as control group were recruited. Sociodemographic form, the Metacognitions Questionnaire 30 (MCQ-30), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory were administered to each volunteer. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated using weight and height measures. An individual with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Obesity was determined based on the age- and gender-specific BMI cut-off points of the International Obesity Task Force values.
Results: When we compared obese individuals and the healthy control group, we observed a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the mean total and subscale scores of MCQ-30 (p<0.05). Results show that there is a significant difference between obese and normal groups in uncontrollability and risk, positive beliefs about worry, cognitive trust, cognitive self-awareness, and need to thought controlling sub-scales (p<0.05). The obesity group demonstrated lower levels of self-esteem in comparison to their healthy counterparts (p<0.05).The results also indicate that being obese has a negative impact on self-esteem. Depression scores and anxiety scores of the obese group were higher than in the healthy group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The comparison of obese and non-obese subjects demonstrates that a significant negative impact on self-esteem is derived from belonging to the obese category. The significant difference between obese and non-obese groups in uncontrollability and risk, positive beliefs about worry, cognitive trust, cognitive self-awareness, and thought control sub-scales highlight metacognitive activity that may play an important role in reinforcing negative self-evaluations and the maintenance of obesity. The difference between obese group and control group has led to the possibility that psychotherapy may play a key role in treatment by enhancing metacognitive processing. This might be used as a weight loss strategy for permanent behavior change. We suggest that not only dietitians but also a multidisciplinary team may examine these people.