The Influence of Weight-Related Self-Esteem and Symptoms of Depression on Shape and Weight Concerns and Weight-Loss 12 Months After Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: While body image can improve following bariatric surgery, a portion of patients continue to experience concerns about weight and shape regardless of weight lost. Research is needed to identify risk factors for post-surgical weight and shape concerns given that body dissatisfaction may contribute to poor outcomes. AIMS: To evaluate whether (1) change in weight-related self-esteem and symptoms of depression from pre- to 12-month post-surgery were associated with change in weight and shape concerns independent of weight-loss; (2) improvement in weight and shape concerns, symptoms of depression, and/or weight-related self-esteem predict greater weight-loss 12 months after bariatric surgery; and (3) improvements in weight-related self-esteem, symptoms of depression, weight concerns, or shape concerns predict weight loss. METHODS: Fifty adults approved to receive bariatric surgery self-reported body mass index and completed validated measures of weight-related self-esteem, symptoms of depression, and weight and shape concerns pre- and 12-month post-surgery. RESULTS: Improvements were observed for weight-related self-esteem, concerns over shape and weight, symptoms of depression, and body mass index from pre- to 12-month post-surgery. Improvement in weight-related self-esteem was associated with concomitant improvements in concerns over shape and weight, independent of weight loss. Improvement in symptoms of depression was associated with improvement in concerns over weight, but not shape. Finally, exploratory analyses indicated that improvements in weight-related self-esteem, and concerns over shape and weight, but not symptoms of depression were associated with improvement in weight-loss. CONCLUSIONS: Weight-related self-esteem may represent an overlooked and important target throughout the bariatric surgery process that could enhance surgical outcomes.

Factors Associated with Poor Sleep in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis.

PURPOSE: Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the world. Sleep disturbance in individuals with MS is approximately four times higher than in the general population. This is concerning given that poor sleep quality negatively affects one's mental and physical well-being. The objectives of this study are (1) to document the prevalence of sleep problems in a Canadian sample of older individuals living with MS, (2) to identify demographic and clinical factors associated with poor sleep, and (3) to investigate the potential impact of possible sleep-promoting and sleep-interfering medications. METHOD: This study is a secondary analysis of sleep and related variables from the Canadian survey of health, lifestyle, and aging with multiple sclerosis study. The survey consists of 743 Canadians 55 years or older with a diagnosis of MS. We asked participants, "In the past 2 weeks, how much have you been bothered by problems sleeping?" RESULTS: Overall, 43% of patients with MS reported problems sleeping. The strongest associations were found between poor sleep and number of comorbidities, clinically significant anxiety, and a greater perceived impact of physical symptoms of MS on functioning. CONCLUSION: Sleep problems are prevalent in individuals with MS. Individuals who had clinically significant levels of anxiety were roughly two times more likely to have trouble sleeping when compared to individuals without anxiety. Efforts should focus on early identification and effective interventions for poor sleep in individuals living with MS.