THE EFFECT OF A MOTİVATİONAL İNTERVİEWİNG-BASED MİNDFULNESS İNTERVENTİON ON WEİGHT CONTROL AFTER BARİATRİC SURGERY: A RANDOMİZED CONTROLLED TRİAL.

Obesity is one of the most critical health problems in developed and developing countries, recognized as a chronic disease that adversely affects both individual and societal health. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other health authorities classify obesity based on Body Mass Index (BMI). Individuals with a BMI above 30 are categorized as obese, while those with a BMI above 40 are considered severely obese. Global statistics show a rapid increase in obesity prevalence, predicting that the number of obese individuals will reach 1.53 billion by 2035. In Turkey, the rate of women with high BMI has risen to 76%, and obesity prevalence has surpassed 30%.

Obesity is caused by unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, genetic predisposition, and environmental factors, leading to serious health problems such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Treatment methods include diet, exercise, medication, behavioral therapies, and surgical interventions. However, post-surgery patients are at risk of regaining lost weight if they fail to regulate their eating behaviors.

In recent years, motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based interventions have come to the forefront in obesity treatment. Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based technique that supports behavioral change by enhancing an individual's intrinsic motivation. Mindfulness-based approaches have proven effective in emotional regulation, stress management, and improving eating behaviors. Research has shown that these methods help post-bariatric surgery patients adjust their eating habits, maintain weight control, and improve their quality of life.