Coping strategies for stress management and its relationship with the level of obesity and quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates

Introduction: Stress is a variable that may play an important role in the development of obesity and in the quality of life of patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery, since stress is linked to the consumption of hypercaloric foods, sedentariness and higher incidence of psychological disorders. Objective: To describe the most common types of stress coping strategies in patients who are candidates for bariatric surgery and establish their relationship with body mass index and quality of life perception. Method: One-hundred and one patients with severe obesity who were candidates for bariatric surgery were evaluated by means of the Stress Coping Questionnaire and the Quality of Life and Health Inventory. Results: The most commonly used coping type is action and the most common strategy is focus on problem solving. Five coping strategies were significantly associated with quality of life; there was no significant association with body mass index. Conclusion: There is an association between some coping styles and quality of life in individuals who are candidates for bariatric surgery.