Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Multidisciplinary Approach to Obesity Management: A Case Report
Published on: May 30, 2025
[Prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption in an obese population]
Maria A Cerdá Esteve1, Diego Barral Tafalla, Mindaugas Gudelis
1Servicio de Endocrinología y Nutrición, Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova de Lleida, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, España. dbtafalla@gmail.com
Objective:
To establish the prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption in an obese population.
Material And Methods:
We collected data from the clinical records of obese patients attending the Endocrinology and Nutrition Department and Psychiatry Department of Hospital del Mar between June 2005 and May 2006 (n=259). We recorded anthropometric, epidemiological and toxicological data. We also investigated the prevalence of concomitant diseases in this population.
Results:
Psychoactive drugs were consumed by 37% of obese patients, mainly antidepressants (27%), anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, and anticonvulsants. Moreover, 15% of all patients received combination treatment with two or more psychoactive drugs, mostly the association of an antidepressant and an antiepileptic drug.
Conclusion:
The prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption in our sample was higher than prevalence data observed in the general population, with antidepressant consumption being three-fold higher.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Obesity
Drug Dependence
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

