Investigation of physical performance, psychosocial status and health literacy in obese individuals and compared with healthy individuals

Obesity is a chronic disease that has adverse effects on various body systems, and therefore increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. Although recent studies have examined health literacy, physical performance, and psychosocial status in individuals with obesity, there is no study examining the effects of food addiction on these parameters. The aim of this study was to compare the physical performance, psychosocial status, and health literacy levels of obese individuals with and without food addiction and healthy subjects. The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YYBÖ) was used to determine whether obese individuals have food addiction. Thirty-seven obese food addicted, 34 obese non-food addicted individuals, and 34 healthy individuals, were included in the study. The demographic characteristics were recorded. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess the level of physical activity. Time up and go test and one minute sit to stand test were performed for physical performance. Beck Depression Inventory was used for psychosocial status assessment. The Health Literacy Scale was used for the assessment of health literacy. While obese individuals had lower physical performance levels than healthy individuals (p<0.05), none of the findings showed the effect of food addiction on physical performance (p>0.05). The depression level of obese individuals who were addicted to food was higher than healthy individuals (p<0.05). The level of health literacy was found to be lower in obese individuals with food addiction compared to both healthy and obese individuals without food addiction (p<0.05). In conclusion, during the maintenance of their well-being obese individuals with food addiction face more physical and psychosocial problems than obese and healthy individuals who do not have food addiction. The phobia of joining the society is higher in obese individuals with food addiction. Further study should while clinical trials are take into consideration the food addiction levels in obese individuals.