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Cited by 827Eating Disorders and BehaviorsObesity, Physical Activity, DietObesity and Health Practices

Is Obesity Associated with Major Depression? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Onyike, C. U.·2003·American Journal of Epidemiology
DOI 10.1093/aje/kwg275
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Abstract

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 > or =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.

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  • The possibility of increased psychiatric events with second-generation anti-obesity medications owes principally to the elevated current and lifetime rates of depression and anxiety in persons with obesity, particularly those with a BMI >40 kg/m2, who often experience the greatest ill effects of weight-related stigmatization.

    “We believe this possibility owes principally to the elevated current and lifetime rates of depression and anxiety in persons with obesity, particularly those with a BMI > 40 kg/m2, who often experience the greatest ill effects of weight-related stigmatization [99, 114, 115].”

    From The Role of Lifestyle Modification with Second-Generation Anti-obesity Medications: Comparisons, Questions, and Clinical Opportunities (2023) · cites this paper as [115]

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Authors
Onyike, C. U.
Affiliations
Johns Hopkins University (US)
Corresponding author
Onyike, C. U.
ORCID
Onyike, C. U.
Venue
American Journal of Epidemiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-12-15
Volume
158
Issue
12
Pages
1139-1147
ISSN
0002-9262 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1093/aje/kwg275
OpenAlex
W2096782637
Cited by
827
References
49
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 23 · 2022: 14 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 35 · 2016: 57 · 2015: 58 · 2014: 70 · 2013: 64 · 2012: 45
FWCI
32.99
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (T32MH-14592, T32MH014592)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
Keywords
obesity, major depressive disorder, body mass index, morbid obesity, sex differences, risk factors for depression, psychiatric comorbidity, NHANES III
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Nutrition Surveys, Obesity, Risk Factors, Severity of Illness Index, Socioeconomic Factors, Time Factors, United States, Body Mass Index

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