This report describes a collaborative study undertaken by 72 psychoanalysts in an effort to (1) collect systematic data about obese patients in psychoanalysis and (2) assess the effect of psychoanalysis in the treatment of obesity. A total of 84 obese and 63 normal weight patients was studied. Each analyst completed a detailed questionnaire on his patients. A few of the main findings follow. Obesity was the chief complaint for only 6% of the obese patients. However, their weight loss compared favorably to those achieved with traditional medical efforts: 55% lost more than 20 pounds and 18% more than 40. traditional medical efforts: 55% lost more than 20 pounds and 18% more than 40. In addition, treatment was associated with a significant lessening of body image disparagement. Confirming other reports, obese patients were reported to be significantly less active than normal weight patients and a strong familial aggregation of obesity was described. Disturbed eating patterns were found with significantly greater frequency among obese patients. (Author)