Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Previously we investigated the relationship between obesity and depression in Korean adults using data from a population-based sample from the 2014 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (KNHANES) by cross-sectional study. We further investigated about relationship between body image perception, diet trial and depression in -depth study.

Methods: In total, 4,026 subjects (1,692 men, 2,334 women) aged 19–69 years participated in the 2014 KNHANES. Current depression was defined as a score ≥10 on the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Height and weight were measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The participants were asked to complete questionnaires about socio-demographic factors and disease comorbidities, and health-related behaviors. The chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between obesity, body image perception, diet trial and depression.

Results: According to body weight status, there was a significant difference in the prevalence of depression (underweight: 16.2%, normal weight: 5.5%, overweight: 4.3%, obese [BMI≥30]: 6.9%). Compared to the normal weight group, the underweight group had a higher adjusted odds ratio (OR) for depression (OR=3.34, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.18, 5.11). For underweight group, when they had body image perception that they are thin or obese, they had higher PHQ-9 scores for depression (P=0.001) and only when they had body image perception that they are thin, they had depression (16.2%). For overweight group, only when they had body image perception that they are obese, they had depression (4.3%). For obese group, none of them had depression who had body image perception that they are obese (0%). For groups who tried to loose weight, exercise group had no depression while fasting, skipping meals or taking diet pills group had depression (P=0.01).

Conclusions: This study shows differences in the risk of depression depending upon body weight status. Being underweight was correlated with a high risk of developing depression in both men and women in regard to their body image perception as thin or obese. For groups trying to loose weight, exercise may be a better way than fasting, skipping meals or taking diet pills for their mental health.

Keywords: Body mass index, Body image, Depression,