@article{cornoExploringVirtualReality2026,

title = {Exploring Virtual Reality for Body Image Assessment and Psychological Interventions in Individuals With Obesity: a Comprehensive Review},

author = {G. Corno and Á. Zamora and S. Bouchard and R. Baños and A. Baillot and J. Monthuy-Blanc},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024457568?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1111/obr.70051},

issn = {14677881 (ISSN)},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Reviews},

volume = {27},

number = {4},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},

abstract = {Introduction: Individuals living with obesity often experience body image (BI) disturbances, which can negatively affect their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing psychological interventions, but no comprehensive review has specifically focused on VR-based studies addressing BI disturbances in this population. Methods: This comprehensive review examined studies utilizing VR for the assessment and treatment of BI disturbances in individuals with obesity. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Studies were categorized into three groups: (i) VR in psychological interventions for individuals with obesity, (ii) VR interventions following metabolic and bariatric surgery, and (iii) VR-based full-body illusion experiments. The primary clinical application was experiential cognitive therapy, which demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing negative BI compared with standard cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments. Studies involving post-metabolic and bariatric surgery adults also supported VR's efficacy in reducing BI dissatisfaction, though long-term benefits were inconsistent. Full-body illusion experiments suggested that VR can help modify distorted body perceptions. However, most studies were conducted by the same research group, focused exclusively on women, and were limited to specific geographical regions, primarily Italy. Conclusion: While preliminary results suggest that VR is a promising tool for treating BI disturbances in individuals with obesity, the field remains under-researched. Notably, no studies have explored VR's potential as an assessment tool in this population. Future studies should include more diverse populations, investigate long-term outcomes, and explore potential barriers to clinical implementation. © 2025 The Author(s). Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity Federation.},

keywords = {adult, Anxiety disorder, Assertiveness, Bariatric Surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, body image assessment, body image avoidance questionnaire, body image disturbances, body satisfaction scale, bulimia, Clinical research, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, Depression, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, feeding behavior, female, follow up, gastric banding, geography, group therapy, human, Humans, Italy, low calorie diet, male, obesity, overnutrition, physical activity, procedures, psychology, psychotherapy, quality of life, review, social background, systematic review, Therapy, Three-Factor-Eating-Questionnaire, training, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{baillot_factors_2023,

title = {Factors Associated with Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Mixed-Method Study},

author = {A. Baillot and J. Brunet and L. Lemelin and S. A. Gabriel and M. -F. Langlois and A. Tchernof and L. Biertho and R. Rabasa-Lhoret and P. Y. Garneau and A. Aimé and S. Bouchard and A. J. Romain and P. Bernard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85163716815&doi=10.1007%2fs11695-023-06698-w&partnerID=40&md5=c86ee43b5f7daf6c350936d38944d013},

doi = {10.1007/s11695-023-06698-w},

issn = {09608923 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Surgery},

volume = {33},

number = {8},

pages = {2324–2334},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {Purpose: After metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), many patients have excess skin (ES), which can cause inconveniences. Identifying factors related to ES quantity and inconveniences is crucial to inform interventions. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with ES quantity and inconveniences. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted with 124 adults (92% women, M age 46.5 ± 9.9 years, M time post-MBS 34.2 ± 27.6 months). During phase I, ES quantity (arms, abdomen, thighs) and inconveniences and sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and behavioral outcomes were assessed. In phase II, 7 focus groups were performed with 37 participants from phase I. A triangulation protocol was completed to identify convergences, complementarities, and dissonances from quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Quantitative data indicate only ES quantity on arms was associated with ES inconveniences on arms (r =.36, p <.01). Total ES quantity was associated with maximal body mass index (BMI) reached pre-MBS (r =.48, p <.05) and current BMI (r =.35, p <.05). Greater ES inconvenience was associated with higher social physique anxiety and age (R 2 =.50, p <.01). Qualitative data were summarized into 4 themes: psychosocial experiences living with ES, physical ailments due to ES, essential support and unmet needs, and beliefs of ES quantity causes. Conclusion: Measured ES quantity is related to higher BMI, but not reported inconveniences. Greater self-reported ES quantity and inconveniences were associated with body image concerns. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.},

note = {Publisher: Springer},

keywords = {adult, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, anthropometry, Anxiety, article, asthma, Bariatric Surgery, body dissatisfaction, body image, body mass, Body Mass Index, controlled study, dermatomycosis, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, employment status, excess skin, female, heart disease, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, household income, human, Humans, hypertension, major clinical study, male, Mental health, Middle Aged, Mixed methods, Morbid, morbid obesity, non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical activity, procedures, psychology, qualitative analysis, quality of life, quantitative analysis, sedentary time, skin irritation, skin malformation, sleep apnea syndromes, social psychology, Social Support, stria, sun exposure},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{baillotFactorsAssociatedExcess2023,

title = {Factors Associated with Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Mixed-Method Study},

author = {A. Baillot and J. Brunet and L. Lemelin and S. A. Gabriel and M. -F. Langlois and A. Tchernof and L. Biertho and R. Rabasa-Lhoret and P. Y. Garneau and A. Aimé and S. Bouchard and A. J. Romain and P. Bernard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85163716815&doi=10.1007%2fs11695-023-06698-w&partnerID=40&md5=c86ee43b5f7daf6c350936d38944d013},

doi = {10.1007/s11695-023-06698-w},

issn = {09608923 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Surgery},

volume = {33},

number = {8},

pages = {2324–2334},

publisher = {Springer},

abstract = {Purpose: After metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), many patients have excess skin (ES), which can cause inconveniences. Identifying factors related to ES quantity and inconveniences is crucial to inform interventions. The aim of this study was to identify sociodemographic, physical, psychosocial, and behavioral factors associated with ES quantity and inconveniences. Materials and Methods: A mixed-method study with a sequential explanatory design was conducted with 124 adults (92% women, M age 46.5 ± 9.9 years, M time post-MBS 34.2 ± 27.6 months). During phase I, ES quantity (arms, abdomen, thighs) and inconveniences and sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical, and behavioral outcomes were assessed. In phase II, 7 focus groups were performed with 37 participants from phase I. A triangulation protocol was completed to identify convergences, complementarities, and dissonances from quantitative and qualitative data. Results: Quantitative data indicate only ES quantity on arms was associated with ES inconveniences on arms (r =.36, p <.01). Total ES quantity was associated with maximal body mass index (BMI) reached pre-MBS (r =.48, p <.05) and current BMI (r =.35, p <.05). Greater ES inconvenience was associated with higher social physique anxiety and age (R 2 =.50, p <.01). Qualitative data were summarized into 4 themes: psychosocial experiences living with ES, physical ailments due to ES, essential support and unmet needs, and beliefs of ES quantity causes. Conclusion: Measured ES quantity is related to higher BMI, but not reported inconveniences. Greater self-reported ES quantity and inconveniences were associated with body image concerns. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.},

keywords = {adult, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, anthropometry, Anxiety, article, asthma, Bariatric Surgery, body dissatisfaction, body image, body mass, Body Mass Index, controlled study, dermatomycosis, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, employment status, excess skin, female, heart disease, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, household income, human, Humans, hypertension, major clinical study, male, Mental health, Middle Aged, Mixed methods, Morbid, morbid obesity, non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, obesity, physical activity, procedures, psychology, qualitative analysis, quality of life, quantitative analysis, sedentary time, skin irritation, skin malformation, sleep apnea syndromes, social psychology, Social Support, stria, sun exposure},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{baillot_what_2017,

title = {What Is Known About the Correlates and Impact of Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Scoping Review},

author = {A. Baillot and E. Brais-Dussault and A. Bastin and C. Cyr and J. Brunet and A. Aimé and A. J. Romain and M. -F. Langlois and S. Bouchard and A. Tchernof and R. Rabasa-Lhoret and P. -Y. Garneau and P. Bernard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021844825&doi=10.1007%2fs11695-017-2814-3&partnerID=40&md5=abf65e67a5551255bb543a6ff1678b32},

doi = {10.1007/s11695-017-2814-3},

issn = {09608923},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Surgery},

volume = {27},

number = {9},

pages = {2488–2498},

publisher = {Springer New York LLC},

abstract = {Although bariatric surgery (BS) improves health among adults with severe obesity, it results in excess skin in more than 70% of adults. The purpose of this study was to synthesize current knowledge on (1) the impact of excess skin experienced by adults after BS and (2) the correlates of excess skin quantity and inconveniences. PubMed, PsyArticles, and CINAHL databases were searched in May 2016 for relevant studies. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of studies retrieved were screened independently by two reviewers against inclusion criteria: (1) peer-reviewed primary research studies, (2) samples with adults who underwent BS, and (3) studies reporting the impact of excess skin and/or excess skin correlates. Thirteen quantitative and eleven qualitative studies met inclusion criteria. Negative physical, psychosocial, and daily life impacts of excess skin were reported in 67, 75, and 83% of studies, respectively. Women reported more excess skin and greater inconveniences of excess skin than did men. Based on the quantitative studies, pre-BS BMI, time since BS, and type of BS were not significantly associated with inconveniences of excess skin; findings were inconclusive for other correlates found (e.g. age, weight loss, BMI). Excess skin may adversely impact adults’ physical and psychosocial functioning, as well as their activities of daily life after BS. However, evidence is lacking to determine which adults may be at heightened risk of developing or being negatively impacted by excess skin. More research on correlates of excess skill is needed to inform the development of tailored interventions in those more vulnerable to developing excess skin after BS to mitigate adverse consequences. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.},

note = {Publisher: Springer New York LLC},

keywords = {Bariatric Surgery, body image, body mass, Dermatologic Surgical Procedures, excess skin, human, Humans, Morbid, morbid obesity, obesity, pathology, pathophysiology, postoperative complication, priority journal, psychology, review, Skin, skin disease, skin disease assessment, skin surgery, social psychology, weight reduction},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{baillotWhatKnownCorrelates2017,

title = {What Is Known About the Correlates and Impact of Excess Skin After Bariatric Surgery: a Scoping Review},

author = {A. Baillot and E. Brais-Dussault and A. Bastin and C. Cyr and J. Brunet and A. Aimé and A. J. Romain and M. -F. Langlois and S. Bouchard and A. Tchernof and R. Rabasa-Lhoret and P. -Y. Garneau and P. Bernard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85021844825&doi=10.1007%2fs11695-017-2814-3&partnerID=40&md5=abf65e67a5551255bb543a6ff1678b32},

doi = {10.1007/s11695-017-2814-3},

issn = {09608923},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Surgery},

volume = {27},

number = {9},

pages = {2488–2498},

publisher = {Springer New York LLC},

abstract = {Although bariatric surgery (BS) improves health among adults with severe obesity, it results in excess skin in more than 70% of adults. The purpose of this study was to synthesize current knowledge on (1) the impact of excess skin experienced by adults after BS and (2) the correlates of excess skin quantity and inconveniences. PubMed, PsyArticles, and CINAHL databases were searched in May 2016 for relevant studies. Titles, abstracts, and full texts of studies retrieved were screened independently by two reviewers against inclusion criteria: (1) peer-reviewed primary research studies, (2) samples with adults who underwent BS, and (3) studies reporting the impact of excess skin and/or excess skin correlates. Thirteen quantitative and eleven qualitative studies met inclusion criteria. Negative physical, psychosocial, and daily life impacts of excess skin were reported in 67, 75, and 83% of studies, respectively. Women reported more excess skin and greater inconveniences of excess skin than did men. Based on the quantitative studies, pre-BS BMI, time since BS, and type of BS were not significantly associated with inconveniences of excess skin; findings were inconclusive for other correlates found (e.g. age, weight loss, BMI). Excess skin may adversely impact adults’ physical and psychosocial functioning, as well as their activities of daily life after BS. However, evidence is lacking to determine which adults may be at heightened risk of developing or being negatively impacted by excess skin. More research on correlates of excess skill is needed to inform the development of tailored interventions in those more vulnerable to developing excess skin after BS to mitigate adverse consequences. © 2017, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.},

keywords = {Bariatric Surgery, body image, body mass, Dermatologic Surgical Procedures, excess skin, human, Humans, Morbid, morbid obesity, obesity, pathology, pathophysiology, postoperative complication, priority journal, psychology, review, Skin, skin disease, skin disease assessment, skin surgery, social psychology, weight reduction},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}