Veterans with PTSD report more weight loss barriers than Veterans with no mental health disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study characterized and compared Veterans of the United States Armed Forces with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to Veterans with no mental health disorders on self-reported measures of factors that influence success in weight management programs.

METHOD: We examined the relation of PTSD diagnosis with weight loss plan, reasons for overweight/obesity and barriers to dieting and physical exercise among 171,884 Veterans. Statistically significant variables in chi-square tests (P<.05) with at least a small effect size were then compared via multivariate logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

Both groups reported high ratings of importance and confidence regarding changing weight loss behaviors and were preparing or actively engaging in efforts to manage their weight. Compared to Veterans without mental health disorders, more Veterans with PTSD endorsed 27 of the 28 barriers to changing eating and physical habits.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study help to explain the lower rates of success of Veterans with PTSD in weight loss programs. Results suggest that a comprehensive, integrated approach to promoting weight loss in Veterans with PTSD is needed.