Obesity has nearly reached endemic proportions. Environmental as well as genetic factors significantly contribute to the development of being overweight and obesity. Despite these findings, neither obese persons nor normal-weight people claim genetic factors to be relevant here. Objective: It has been examined, if a structured psychological counselling approach regarding eating behaviour and physical activity is more effective with respect to body acceptance and subjective well-being of obese people if genetic information is provided as well. Methods:260 subjects with a mean body mass index (BMI) of M ± SD =35.3 ± 5.1 received counselling. Within a randomised-controlled study design, the counselling also included genetic information for about half of the participants. Additionally, 98 controls without counselling were investigated on the same measures. So-called body shapes were used to assess family history of obesity. Shortand long-term effects (6-month follow-up) were assessed. Results:The counselling approach was experienced as beneficial by a large majority of the participants. The group that also received genetic information reported having gained more knowledge about obesity. Concerning the questionnaires used in this study,positive effects were found in both intervention groups immediately after counselling but could no longer be observed at 6 month follow-up. Discussion: A structured counselling approach including genetic information was considered helpful by the participants. However, a single counselling session apparently does not suffice to include the acquired knowledge into daily experience and behaviour and to achieve long-term effects. Therefore,long-term interventions should be developed that also consider subjective causal attributions of obese people.

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2006
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