Obesity and the onset of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China: evidence from the CHARLS

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between obesity and depression has been documented in previous systematic studies but remains controversial. Many prospective studies have focused on children and youth, and several studies have examined this relationship among older populations. This study of the changes in obesity status aimed to examine the association between depression and obesity among middle-aged and elderly adults in China.MethodsThe data originated from the follow-up survey (2011 and 2013–2015) of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and included 3337 residents aged at least 45 years who completed a physical examination and were evaluated with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-10), which assessed depressive symptoms. Obesity status was defined by body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) according to Chinese criteria. A time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relationship between obesity status and depressive symptoms.ResultsThe rate of depression in men and women was 26.67 and 38.37%, respectively. Based on BMI, the proportion of the population that was overweight and obese was 28.07 and 9.26%, respectively, in males and 35.03 and 16.84%, respectively, in females. Males with obesity were less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms than males with a normal weight (ORHR = 0.506, 95% CI = 0.347~ 0.736). Based on WC, the proportion of abdominal obesity was 49.35% in males and 73.65% in females. Males with abdominal obesity were less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms than males without abdominal obesity (ORHR = 0.775, 95% CI = 0.644~ 0.933).ConclusionObesity is more likely to be associated with the onset of depression in males than in females. However, regardless of underweight or overweight status, the relationship between weight and depressive symptoms is negatively associated among females and males. In conclusion, both BMI and WC can be used as tools for examining the association between obesity and depression.

Risk factors of depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus with lower extremity arterial disease in China

“…In the logistic regression we found that BMI and female gender were independent risk factors for depressive symptoms, which were in line with previous studies [20][21][22][23] . Luo et al [20] reported that the relationship between weight and depressive symptoms is negatively associated among females and males within the normal BMI range. Zhou et al [23] found that there was a negative association between BMI and depressive symptoms for males.…”

Association Between Different Indicators of Obesity and Depression in Adults in Qingdao, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Moreover, a nonsignificant negative association between depression and obesity has also been reported previously ( 12 , 43 ). In contrast, several studies reported a significant positive association between depression and obesity ( 11 , 12 , 20 , 21 , 44 , 45 ). Young people regarded thinness as a beauty symbol.…”

Psychiatric morbidities of female obesity before and after dieting: an Egyptian sample

“…And regarding the significant morbidity of depression with obesity, various studies found a close association between obesity and depression [32][33][34][35][36][37] due to the positive relation between depression and emotional eating [38] as well as the associated poor body image, lack of competence, interpersonal problems, and internalization of weight bias with obesity [32].…”