Experience of Loneliness by Obese Individuals

Abstract

The present study assessed the relationship between obesity and reported loneliness. The subjects, 68 obese and 64 nonobese individuals, were administered the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. Obese subjects had significantly higher loneliness ratings than nonobese subjects. Obese women had significantly higher loneliness scores than nonobese women but no such difference was found between obese men and their thin peers. A significant correlation of .25 was obtained between body weight and loneliness ratings within the total sample and also the obese women ( r = .29). This correlation was nonsignificant within the obese men. Possible explanations for the observed sex differences as well as implications for research and treatment, were discussed.