Am J Epidemiol 2003; 158:1139-1147.
Copyright © 2003 by the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
Is Obesity Associated with Major Depression? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
1 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
2 Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
3 Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) were used to examine the relation between obesity and depression. Past-month depression was defined using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, and was measured with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) of 30 or higher. The authors compared risks of depression in obese and normal-weight (body mass index 18.5–24.9) persons. Obesity was associated with past-month depression in women (odds ratio (OR) = 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 3.3) but was not significantly associated in men (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 0.56, 5.37). When obesity was stratified by severity, heterogeneity in the association with depression was observed. Class 3 (severe) obesity (body mass index 
40) was associated with past-month depression in unadjusted analyses (OR = 4.98, 95% CI: 2.07, 11.99); the association remained strong after results were controlled for age, education, marital status, physician’s health rating, dieting for medical reasons, use of psychiatric medicines, cigarette smoking, and use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine. These findings suggest that obesity is associated with depression mainly among persons with severe obesity. Prospective studies will be necessary to clarify the obesity-depression relation but await the identification of potential risk factors for depression in the obese.
body mass index; body weight; depression; obesity
Abbreviations: Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CI, confidence interval; DIS, Diagnostic Interview Schedule; DSM, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; NHANES III, Third National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey; OR, odds ratio.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  M. A Beydoun, M. T F. Kuczmarski, M. A Mason, S. M Ling, M. K Evans, and A. B Zonderman Role of depressive symptoms in explaining socioeconomic status disparities in dietary quality and central adiposity among US adults: a structural equation modeling approach Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2009; 90(4): 1084 - 1095. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. d. Zwaan, I. Petersen, M. Kaerber, R. Burgmer, B. Nolting, T. Legenbauer, A. Benecke, and S. Herpertz Obesity and Quality of Life: A Controlled Study of Normal-Weight and Obese Individuals Psychosomatics, September 1, 2009; 50(5): 474 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. E. Waring, M. B. Roberts, D. R. Parker, and C. B. Eaton Documentation and Management of Overweight and Obesity in Primary Care J Am Board Fam Med, September 1, 2009; 22(5): 544 - 552. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Olszanecka-Glinianowicz, B. Zahorskamarkiewicz, P. Kocelak, E. Semik-Grabarczyk, P. Dabrowski, W. Gruszka, and T. Wikarek Depression in Obese Persons Before Starting Complex Group Weight-Reduction Programme International Journal of Social Psychiatry, September 1, 2009; 55(5): 407 - 413. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. B. Patten, J. V. A. Williams, D. H. Lavorato, N. R. C. Campbell, M. Eliasziw, and T. S. Campbell Major Depression as a Risk Factor for High Blood Pressure: Epidemiologic Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study Psychosom Med, April 1, 2009; 71(3): 273 - 279. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Idelevich, W. Kirch, and C. Schindler Current pharmacotherapeutic concepts for the treatment of obesity in adults Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, February 1, 2009; 3(1): 75 - 90. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. BeLue, L. A. Francis, and B. Colaco Mental Health Problems and Overweight in a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents: Effects of Race and Ethnicity Pediatrics, February 1, 2009; 123(2): 697 - 702. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. Park Gender as a Moderator in the Association of Body Weight to Smoking and Mental Health Am J Public Health, January 1, 2009; 99(1): 146 - 151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. A. Amin, R. A. Menon, K. J. Reid, W. S. Harris, and J. A. Spertus Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients With Depression Have Low Blood Cell Membrane Omega-3 Fatty Acid Levels Psychosom Med, October 1, 2008; 70(8): 856 - 862. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Kouvonen, T. Oksanen, J. Vahtera, M. Stafford, R. Wilkinson, J. Schneider, A. Vaananen, M. Virtanen, S. J. Cox, J. Pentti, et al. Low Workplace Social Capital as a Predictor of Depression: The Finnish Public Sector Study Am. J. Epidemiol., May 15, 2008; 167(10): 1143 - 1151. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. A. Wellenius, K. J. Mukamal, A. Kulshreshtha, S. Asonganyi, and M. A. Mittleman Depressive Symptoms and the Risk of Atherosclerotic Progression Among Patients With Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts Circulation, May 6, 2008; 117(18): 2313 - 2319. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. E. Nissen, S. J. Nicholls, K. Wolski, J. Rodes-Cabau, C. P. Cannon, J. E. Deanfield, J.-P. Despres, J. J. P. Kastelein, S. R. Steinhubl, S. Kapadia, et al. Effect of Rimonabant on Progression of Atherosclerosis in Patients With Abdominal Obesity and Coronary Artery Disease: The STRADIVARIUS Randomized Controlled Trial JAMA, April 2, 2008; 299(13): 1547 - 1560. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G. C. Gee, A. Ro, A. Gavin, and D. T. Takeuchi Disentangling the Effects of Racial and Weight Discrimination on Body Mass Index and Obesity Among Asian Americans Am J Public Health, March 1, 2008; 98(3): 493 - 500. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Lim, K. S. Thomas, W. A. Bardwell, and J. E. Dimsdale Which Measures of Obesity Are Related to Depressive Symptoms and in Whom? Psychosomatics, February 1, 2008; 49(1): 23 - 28. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
O. Bjerkeset, P. Romundstad, J. Evans, and D. Gunnell Association of Adult Body Mass Index and Height with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide in the General Population: The HUNT Study Am. J. Epidemiol., January 15, 2008; 167(2): 193 - 202. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Sherry, M. E. Jefferds, and L. M. Grummer-Strawn Accuracy of Adolescent Self-report of Height and Weight in Assessing Overweight Status: A Literature Review Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, December 1, 2007; 161(12): 1154 - 1161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 F. Eskandari, P. E. Martinez, S. Torvik, T. M. Phillips, E. M. Sternberg, S. Mistry, D. Ronsaville, R. Wesley, C. Toomey, N. G. Sebring, et al. Low Bone Mass in Premenopausal Women With Depression Arch Intern Med, November 26, 2007; 167(21): 2329 - 2336. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
K. M. Pollack, G. S. Sorock, M. D. Slade, L. Cantley, K. Sircar, O. Taiwo, and M. R. Cullen Association between Body Mass Index and Acute Traumatic Workplace Injury in Hourly Manufacturing Employees Am. J. Epidemiol., July 15, 2007; 166(2): 204 - 211. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. S Kaplan, N. Huguet, B. H McFarland, and J. T Newsom Suicide among male veterans: a prospective population-based study J Epidemiol Community Health, July 1, 2007; 61(7): 619 - 624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. H. Golden, H. B. Lee, P. J. Schreiner, A. D. Roux, A. L. Fitzpatrick, M. Szklo, and C. Lyketsos Depression and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Psychosom Med, July 1, 2007; 69(6): 529 - 536. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 I. Hach, U. E. Ruhl, M. Klose, J. Klotsche, W. Kirch, and F. Jacobi Obesity and the risk for mental disorders in a representative German adult sample Eur J Public Health, June 1, 2007; 17(3): 297 - 305. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Schieman, T. McMullen, and M. Swan Relative Body Weight and Psychological Distress in Late Life: Observations of Gender and Race Comparisons J Aging Health, April 1, 2007; 19(2): 286 - 312. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. N. Jacka, J. A. Pasco, S. McConnell, L. J. Williams, M. A. Kotowicz, G. C. Nicholson, and M. Berk Self-Reported Depression and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in a Community Sample of Women Psychosomatics, February 1, 2007; 48(1): 54 - 59. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. A. Kalarchian, M. D. Marcus, M. D. Levine, A. P. Courcoulas, P. A. Pilkonis, R. M. Ringham, J. N. Soulakova, L. A. Weissfeld, and D. L. Rofey Psychiatric Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Relationship to Obesity and Functional Health Status Am J Psychiatry, February 1, 2007; 164(2): 328 - 334. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H. Chakar and P. R Salameh Adolescent obesity in Lebanese private schools Eur J Public Health, December 1, 2006; 16(6): 648 - 651. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Costa-Font and J. Gil Revisiting the 'Fat and Jolly' hypothesis: socio-environmental determinants of obesity and depression in Spain Socioecon. Rev., September 1, 2006; 4(3): 513 - 542. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 G. E. Simon, M. Von Korff, K. Saunders, D. L. Miglioretti, P. K. Crane, G. van Belle, and R. C. Kessler Association Between Obesity and Psychiatric Disorders in the US Adult Population. Arch Gen Psychiatry, July 1, 2006; 63(7): 824 - 830. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. H. Zeller, H. R. Roehrig, A. C. Modi, S. R. Daniels, and T. H. Inge Health-Related Quality of Life and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents With Extreme Obesity Presenting for Bariatric Surgery Pediatrics, April 1, 2006; 117(4): 1155 - 1161. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. E. Anderson, P. Cohen, E. N. Naumova, and A. Must Association of Depression and Anxiety Disorders With Weight Change in a Prospective Community-Based Study of Children Followed Up Into Adulthood Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, March 1, 2006; 160(3): 285 - 291. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
P. K. E. Magnusson, F. Rasmussen, D. A. Lawlor, P. Tynelius, and D. Gunnell Association of Body Mass Index with Suicide Mortality: A Prospective Cohort Study of More than One Million Men Am. J. Epidemiol., January 1, 2006; 163(1): 1 - 8. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 S. Hahn, O. E Janssen, S. Tan, K. Pleger, K. Mann, M. Schedlowski, R. Kimmig, S. Benson, E. Balamitsa, and S. Elsenbruch Clinical and psychological correlates of quality-of-life in polycystic ovary syndrome Eur. J. Endocrinol., December 1, 2005; 153(6): 853 - 860. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
R. L. Sjoberg, K. W. Nilsson, and J. Leppert Obesity, Shame, and Depression in School-Aged Children: A Population-Based Study Pediatrics, September 1, 2005; 116(3): e389 - e392. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 D. D. Brennan, P. F. Whelan, K. Robinson, O. Ghita, J. M. O'Brien, R. Sadleir, and S. J. Eustace Rapid Automated Measurement of Body Fat Distribution from Whole-Body MRI Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2005; 185(2): 418 - 423. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 R. M Viner and T. J Cole Adult socioeconomic, educational, social, and psychological outcomes of childhood obesity: a national birth cohort study BMJ, June 11, 2005; 330(7504): 1354. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 B. Schreiner Promoting Lifestyle and Behavior Change in Overweight Children and Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes Diabetes Spectr, January 1, 2005; 18(1): 9 - 12. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 E. H.B. Lin, W. Katon, M. Von Korff, C. Rutter, G. E. Simon, M. Oliver, P. Ciechanowski, E. J. Ludman, T. Bush, and B. Young Relationship of Depression and Diabetes Self-Care, Medication Adherence, and Preventive Care Diabetes Care, September 1, 2004; 27(9): 2154 - 2160. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|