Extending the Fatigue Severity Scale to an obese population

Area of Science:

• Obesity research
• Clinical psychology
• Health psychology

Background:

• The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a validated self-report measure for assessing fatigue.
• Historically normed on multiple sclerosis patients, FSS has been applied to conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and in exercise studies.
• Obesity is often associated with increased fatigue, impacting daily functioning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and reliability of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in obese individuals.
• To assess the impact of a 16-week obesity treatment program on fatigue levels using the FSS.
• To determine the FSS's pre- and post-test reliability within this specific population.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 118 obese females (average age 45.24) participated in a 16-week obesity treatment program.
• The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was administered before and after the intervention period.
• Statistical analysis focused on the reliability of FSS scores and correlation with weight loss outcomes.

Main Results:

• The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) demonstrated high pre- and post-test reliability in obese females.
• Significant weight loss was observed in the participants following the 16-week program.
• The FSS effectively captured changes in fatigue levels related to the obesity treatment.

Conclusions:

• The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a reliable instrument for assessing fatigue in obese women.
• The FSS can be effectively utilized in obesity treatment research and clinical practice.
• Fatigue levels in obese individuals may be influenced by weight management interventions.