Is body weight dissatisfaction associated with depression?

Abstract

Introduction

Body image dissatisfaction is a risk factor for depression. Research has focused on female adolescents; yet little is known about sex and age differences.

Objectives/aims

The aim of our study was to evaluate the association of body weight dissatisfaction, a component of body image, with depression overall, and for different sex and age-groups independent of body weight.

Methods

We analyzed data of 15,975 individuals from the cross-sectional 2012 Swiss Health Survey. Participants were asked about their weight satisfaction. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was used to ascertain depression. Age was stratified in three groups (≥ 18-29; ≥ 30-59; ≥ 60 years). Body mass index (BMI) was self-reported and categorized into normal weight (BMI: 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), overweight (BMI: 25.0-29.9 kg/m²), and obesity (BMI: ≥ 30 kg/m²). The association between weight dissatisfaction and depression was assessed with logistic regression analyses and adjusted for known confounders (including BMI).

Results

Weight dissatisfaction was associated with depression in the overall group (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.66-2.50) and in men (1.85, 1.34-2.56) and women (2.25, 1.71-2.96) separately, independent of body weight (multivariable adjusted). Stratification by age groups revealed associations of weight dissatisfaction with depression in young (1.78, 1.16-2.74), middle-aged (2.1, 1.61-2.74) and old individuals (2.34, 1.30-4.23) independent of BMI. A sub-analysis in the overall group revealed statistically significant positive associations of weight dissatisfaction with depression in underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese individuals.

Conclusion

Body weight dissatisfaction is associated with depression in men, women, young, middle-aged and old individuals independent of BMI.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.