Obesity, Body Image Dissatisfaction, and Sexual Dysfunction: A Narrative Review

With approximately two-thirds of the United States adult population classified as overweight or obese, obesity remains a critical public health concern. Obesity not only contributes to several complications including type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, but condition is also associated with sexual dysfunction in both women men. Despite evidence linking its concomitant pathophysiology problems, potential roles psychosocial factors such body image are understudied. This narrative review evaluates research linkages between dysfunction, particular attention effects dissatisfaction. A literature search biomedical psychological databases was used identify pertaining obesity, function, and/or constructs. The pathophysiological on function well-documented mechanistic studies animal trials, often corroboration human clinical samples. However, very few examine image, tandem. Body dissatisfaction appears independently impinge upon response cycle mental outcomes, irrespective weight. While negative appraisal, it unclear whether these constructs exert additive, synergistic, antagonistic responsivity. Additionally, overweight/obese individuals who exhibit higher levels satisfaction self-confidence appear be protected from deleterious satisfaction, at least some extent. Greater reliance conceptual/theoretical models may better clarify relationships