The problem of obesity is a national as well as a global health issue. From a global perspective, according to data published by the International Obesity Task Force, at least 1.1 billion adults are overweight, and 312 million of these are obese. Approximately one-third of American adults have obesity, a disease defined by a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30kg/m. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The State of California has a rate of 24% obesity. Unfortunately, all 50 states have a rate over 20% and 12 have rates over 30%. This data is collected from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which is a self-report of weight and height. Goldberg and Limbrunner state that bariatric surgery can perform miracles in changing weight and radically decreasing comorbidities in the obese patient, but it is just a tool and does not change the patient’s mental state. A significant number of candidates for bariatric surgery have a psychiatric diagnosis such as depression or anxiety prior to surgery. A psychiatric diagnosis can impact weight loss outcomes and success. The group support environment can provide a safe environment for emotional and social learning. Most importantly, the group can provide a sense of belonging. The objective of this project was the successful implementation of a bariatric support group.
