Prevalence and Correlates of Obesity and Overweight in Tunisian Bipolar I Patients

Objective: We aim to determine the prevalence of obesity and overweight in bipolar I patients, and to examine their associations with the demographic, clinical and therapeutic characteristics of this population. Patients and Methods: Our study included 120 bipolar I patients (79 men and 41 women, mean age = 39.5 ± 11.9 years). Weight and height were evaluated by body mass index (BMI). Obesity was defined when BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and overweight when BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Results: The prevalence of obesity and overweight was respectively 32.5% and 30.8%. Obesity was significantly more frequent in women than men. The illness duration was significantly longer in obese patients than in those with normal weight. Moreover, the family history of medical disorders and concomitant medical disorders was significantly more frequent in obese patients than in those with normal weight. However, any significant association between therapeutic characteristics and obesity or overweight was found. Conclusions: Obesity and overweight were frequent in bipolar I patients. Obesity was significantly frequent in women and significantly associated with illness duration, medical disorders, and concomitant medical disorders. These results emphasized the need for specific treatment strategies and programs for weight control for these patients.