Perceived Weight, Not Obesity, Increases Risk for Major Depression Among Adolescents

Overview

Journal J Psychiatr Res

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2013 May 7

PMID 23643102

Citations 46

Authors

Robert E Roberts

Hao T Duong

Affiliations

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Abstract

Unlabelled: This study examined the association between major depression, obesity and body image among adolescents.

Methods: Participants were 4175 youths 11-17 years of age sampled from the community who were interviewed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children and Adolescents, Version IV, completed a self-report questionnaire, and had their weight and height measured. There were 2 measures of body image: perceived weight and body satisfaction. Obesity was associated with increased risk of depression, with no controls for covariates. However, when the association was examined in models which included weight, major depression, and body image measures and covariates, there was no association between major depression and body weight, nor between body satisfaction and major depression. Perceived overweight was strongly and independently associated with body weight (O.R. = 2.62). We found no independent association between major depression and body weight. If there is an etiologic link between major depression and body weight among adolescents, it most likely operates through processes involving components of body image. Future research should focus on the role of depression and body image in the etiology of obesity.

Citing Articles

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