Cited by 340Eating Disorders and BehaviorsObesity, Physical Activity, DietObesity and Health Practices

Evidence for prospective associations among depression and obesity in population‐based studies

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Faith, M. S., Butryn, M., Wadden, T. A., Fabricatore, A., Nguyen, A. M., Heymsfield, S. B.·2011·Obesity Reviews

Abstract

Summary: Obesity may lead to depression or be one of its consequences. We reviewed population‐based studies in order to, first, identify the most commonly used research methods, and, second, to evaluate the strength of evidence for prospective associations among obesity and depression. We examined 25 studies, of which 10 tested ‘obesity‐to‐depression’ pathways, and 15 tested ‘depression‐to‐obesity’ pathways. Descriptive statistics summarized the frequency with which various measurements, designs and data analytic strategies were used. We tallied the number of studies that reported any vs. no statistically significant associations, and report on effect sizes, identified moderating variables within reports, and sought common findings across studies. Results indicated considerable methodological heterogeneity in the literature. Depression was assessed by clinical interview in 44% of studies, weight and height were directly measured in 32%, and only 12% used both. In total, 80% of the studies reported significant obesity‐to‐depression associations, with odds ratios generally in the range of 1.0 to 2.0, while only 53% of the studies reported significant depression‐to‐obesity associations. Sex was a common moderating variable. Thus, there was good evidence that obesity is prospectively associated with increased depression, with less consistent evidence that depression leads to obesity. Recommendations for future research regarding study samples, measurement and data analysis are provided.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1467-789x.2010.00843.x

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  1. [20]20. Wadden TA, Stunkard AJ. Psychopathology and obesity. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1987; 499: 55-65.
  2. [54]54. Burkhart BR, Gynther MD, Fromuth ME. The relative pre- dictive validity of subtle vs. obvious items on the MMPI Depres- sion Scale. J Clin Psychol 1980; 36: 748-751.

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Authors
Faith, M. S., Butryn, M., Wadden, T. A., Fabricatore, A., Nguyen, A. M., & Heymsfield, S. B.
Affiliations
  • University of Pennsylvania (US)
  • Drexel University (US)
  • Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (United States) (US)
  • Pennington Biomedical Research Center (US)
Corresponding author
Faith, M. S.
Venue
Obesity Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2011-04-27
Volume
12
Issue
5
Pages
e438-53
ISSN
  • 1467-7881 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-789X
OpenAlex
W1542078159
Cited by
340
References
86
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 27 · 2020: 27 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 27 · 2017: 27 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 14
FWCI
3.96
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Obesity Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
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
depression, obesity, prospective associations, methodological heterogeneity, sex differences, effect size
MeSH terms
Depression, Humans, Obesity, Prospective Studies, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Comorbidity, Odds Ratio

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