The Effect of Psychotherapy in the Management of Obesity: An umbrella review

ObjectiveTo assess the impact of psychotherapy on obesity treatment in outpatient settings. MethodsThe study targets adults with a BMI of 30 or higher, comparing psychotherapeutic interventions to usual care or no treatment. Key outcomes include weight loss, adverse events, depression, quality of life, and long-term BMI changes. Extensive database searches were conducted. ResultsOut of 1,334 articles reviewed, only 3 studies met the inclusion criteria, emphasizing the scarcity of relevant research. These studies primarily focused on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral strategies. Results showed that combining behavior therapy with diet/exercise led to greater weight loss than diet/exercise alone. Studies on cognitive therapy and general psychotherapy were less frequent and yielded weaker evidence. Despite varied methodologies, the findings suggest that behavioral therapy combined with dietary and exercise interventions offers improved outcomes, though more research is needed to strengthen these conclusions. ConclusionsThe study found that combining behavioral therapy with diet and exercise resulted in greater weight loss than diet and exercise alone. However, research on the impact of psychotherapy on obesity is limited, as only 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. Cognitive therapies and general psychotherapy provided weaker evidence. Therefore, further research is necessary to validate these findings and investigate alternative psychotherapeutic methods for treating obesity.