Assessment of depression among obese people in najaf city/ Iraq

This study aims to assessment depression in obese people admitted to a hospital in Najaf, Iraq. This study was conducted as a cross-sectional and descriptive study in a hospital in Najaf, Iraq, between 30.11.2022-20.02.2023. The research population consists of people who came to a hospital in Najaf, Iraq, for obesity treatment. According to Gpower analysis, the sample size was determined to be at least 152 obese. Data were collected face-to-face using the descriptive characteristics form and the Beck Depression Scale (BDI). Frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and ANOVA and t-test were analyzed using SPSS 26 software. P<0.05 was accepted as the significance level. The study found that the majority of participants were between the ages of 18-25 and 59.22% were women. The average BDI score of obese individuals is 36.81±7.34. There are statistically significant differences between depression and gender, age, marital status, place of residence and employment status. However, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between education level and income status. It has been determined that the depression level of individuals diagnosed as obese is at a moderate level. Psychosocial aspects of obese individuals should be examined by a psychiatric nurse and risk factors should be determined. A preventive mental health approach should be provided to protect against potential risk factors such as depression