Psychologiczna charakterystyka kobiet z nadwagą i otyłością

The aim of the study was to establish psychological characteristics of overweight and obese women and to delineate the similarities and differences of this characteristics between women with overweight and obesity and women with normal weight. 80 women aged 48, with increased body mass index (43 with overweight – BMI = 25.1A˛30 and 37 with obesity – BMI > 30) and 80 women at similar age (average 46,8) with normal weight participated in the study. Various techniques were used: Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale, Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale, Life Orientation Test, Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, 3-factors Personality States and Traits Questionnaire, Kuhl Action Control Scale, Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS). The results indicate that women with overweight and obesity reveal lower level of personal resources such as self-efficacy, self-esteem and level of optimism. Obese women elicited beliefs in powerful others in health locus of control. Obese subjects stronger perceive stress than women with normal weight. In coping with stress they use less task, and more avoidance strategies.