Obesity in Male and Female

Quality of Life Diagnosis 

Obesity is among the chronic health conditions that predispose individuals to significant mental health problems. However, this is an area that has received less exploration in literature. Developed countries such as the United States continue to show an increased prevalence of obesity thanks to sedentary lifestyles and poor eating behaviors. According to Rajan & Menon (2017), there is a correlation between obesity in men and women and the development of psychiatric problems. Obesity comes as a result of genetic and environmental factors. The resultant body size and shape could result in mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Obesity in both men and women is also a significant risk factor for conditions such as type 2 diabetes and hypertension, which possess a toll on the mental health of an individual. 

Epidemiological Diagnosis 

Obesity is a global disease affecting individuals in both developed and developing countries across the world. Obesity is commonly associated with psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. Esfahani & Pal, (2018), in their research study, found out that obese individuals are twice as likely to suffer from depression compared to the general population. Thus, it could be deduced that obesity is a risk factor for the development of obesity. The Center for Disease Prevention and Control has also exploited the relationship between obesity and depression. Based on a survey conducted between 2005 and 2010, the conclusion was that “Forty-three percent of adults with depression were obese” (Depression and Obesity in the U.S. Adult Household Population, 2005–2010). 

Depression and serious mental illnesses (SMI) have also been implicated as risk factors for obesity. An example of an SMI is schizophrenia. Individuals with mental health problems are likely to engage in binge eating and other unhealthy dietary habits that predispose them to obesity (Esfahani & Pal, 2018). 

Behavioral and Environmental Diagnosis 

Individuals with obesity are likely to suffer from self-esteem problems due to their body shapes and size. As such, they believe that they will be subject to scorn and ridicule from their counterparts. In most cases, this contributes to isolation and the tendency to stay away from public areas. The continuous isolation and the difficulties associated with keeping and maintaining healthy relationships could predispose an individual to obesity. The environment of obesity patients could also have resulted in mental health problems. Ha, Han, & Kim (2017) says, “Psychologists have found that obesity is considered a “stigma” because it is conceptualized as a form of physical deviance.” Thus, it is safe to say that the prevailing perception about obesity in the environment can be a significant risk factor that should be taken into consideration. Obese individuals are continuously subjected to immense avoidance and discrimination. All these are environmental factors that could contribute to their lack of well-being. 

Educational Diagnosis 

The three factors under assessment, in this case, will include the predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors. The predisposing factors for depression in obese men and women include societal beliefs, attitudes, and knowledge. If society embraces the obese and overweight persons as members of the community, they will have positive images about themselves, which in turn prevents them from psychological problems. The same applies to an individual attitudes and knowledge which drives them towards receiving appropriate care. 

The enabling factors for this case include the availability of mental health institutions and counseling programs for the at-risk population. The presence of educative and community outreach programs meant to enlighten the people the need to seek treatment and engage in physical activities is an enabling factor. Also, efforts aimed at promoting positive body image among obese and overweight will also help in this regard. Reinforcing factors for depression among obese men and women include social support programs and peer support groups where individuals can be trained to develop coping skills and attitudes. 

Policy and Administrative Diagnosis 

The policy will center on the creation of community mental health outreach programs that target the obese and overweight individual. Based on the research by Ha et al., (2017), most of the people with obesity develop mental health problems such as depression due to the negative portrayal and the images associated with them. The target will be the general population, especially those with overweight issues or obesity. The goal of the program will focus on educating people on matters of positive body image, physical exercise, and proper dietary methods. Individuals should also understand the implications of body shaming. 

Implementation 

The intervention here is educative community outreach. Hypothesis-Body positive image and attitudes among obese patients will reduce their predisposition to mental health problems such as depression. The educative community outreach program should happen at least one month. The logistics required include educative materials such as pamphlets and public speaking devices. The partnership between community leaders and health professionals will determine the success of the program. 

Process Evaluation 

The process objectives include: 

Engaging both the obese and the general population in the community outreach. 

Inculcating positive attitudes across the broad spectrum and ensuring that individual treat one another with the much-desired respect. 

The process will be evaluated based on the two goals. Any deviation from these aspects should be regarded as a failure. 

Impact Evaluation 

Impact Objectives include: 

An increased sense of awareness of the intervention not only for obesity but also for mental health problems. 

Knowledge about the harm of body shaming and the dangers of creating negative images and caricatures of obese people. 

Outcome Objective 

Ensuring that obese men and women have safe spaces within their community for better mental and psychological health. 

Conclusion 

The Precede-Proceed Model for mental health provides healthcare professionals and policy developers an opportunity to appraise the root-cause of a mental health problem, associated risk factors and mitigation techniques. It also ensures that the at-risk groups, such as the obese men and women in this case, have a platform where they can receive public health interventions such as education and long-lasting policies that cater to their mental wellness. 

References 

Depression and Obesity in the U.S. Adult Household Population, 2005–2010 https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db167.htm 

Esfahani, S. B., & Pal, S. (2018). Obesity, mental health, and sexual dysfunction: A critical review. Health Psychology Open, 5(2), 2055102918786867. 

Ha, H., Han, C., & Kim, B. (2017). Can obesity cause depression? A pseudo-panel analysis. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 50(4), 262. 

Rajan, T. M., & Menon, V. (2017). Psychiatric disorders and obesity: A review of association studies. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine, 63(3), 182.