Exploring Sex Differences in Adult Obesity Candidates for Bariatric Surgery

Introduction: Obesity represents a global health crisis and results from complex interactions between psychological, environmental, and genetic factors. Any therapeutic approach should consider the social, personal, and psychological characteristics of the obese subject, as well as possible medical complications. This study investigates sex differences in candidates for bariatric surgery. Subjects and methods: This is a cross-sectional study including subjects who underwent psychiatric pre-surgical evaluation. The evaluation comprised a clinical interview and the administration of self-report questionnaires that assessed socio-demographic and clinical aspects. Descriptive and bivariate analyses and a multivariate logistic regression model were performed to evaluate variables significantly associated with sex in bariatric surgery candidates. Results: The sample consisted of 173 subjects, of which 71.1% were women. Significant differences between men and women were detected in employment status, birth nationality, psychopathological history, organic comorbidities, and BMI value. There were no significant differences in clinical aspects. Conclusion: Obesity has a significant impact on global health. Women and men who are considering bariatric surgery represent two different populations in demographic, personal, and social characteristics. Therefore, a sex-tailored approach is essential to guarantee adequate support in the management of the various aspects of obesity.