Clinical, Economic, and Humanistic Outcomes Associated With Obesity Among Adults With Bipolar I Disorder: Analysis of National Health and Wellness Survey Data

Abstract: Background: People living with bipolar I disorder (BD-I) have a higher risk of obesity than the general population. While outcomes associated with obesity are well documented in general, less is known about the burden of obesity among adults with BD-I. Objective: This study examined relationships between obesity and clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes among adults with BD-I. Methods: Data are from the 2016 and 2020 US National Health and Wellness Survey (nationally representative, cross-sectional survey). Participants who self-reported a physician diagnosis of BD-I were categorized by body mass index (BMI). Study outcomes were adjusted for demographic (eg, age, sex) and health (eg, exercise, smoking status) characteristics. Results: Of 1,853 participants, most were female (65%), White (62%), and unemployed (54%), with an average age of 34 years. A total of 30% were underweight/normal weight (BMI