Obesity and mental health issues stand as substantial challenges to global health. Studies have established a connection between higher levels of body fat and the occurrence of depression and general well-being. Nonetheless, documentation of such evidence remains scarce in Ireland. Additionally, research points to the potential influence of lifestyle choices and health conditions on mental health, which could alter the impact of body fat on depression and overall well-being.
The research involved a cross-sectional analysis of 1,821 individuals, both men and women, aged between 46 and 73 years. These participants were randomly selected from a comprehensive primary care centre. The assessment of depression and well-being was carried out using the 20-item Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the World Health Organization-Five (WHO-5) Well-Being Index, respectively. Through linear regression analyses, the study examined the relationship between mental health outcomes (as the dependent variable) and levels of adiposity (as the independent variable), as indicated by body mass index (BMI) and waist-height ratio. This examination examined various demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and health conditions.
The results of this study indicate a significant link between higher adiposity and diminished mental health, even when controlling for lifestyle choices and health conditions. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating strategies for weight management at the population level into interventions aimed at reducing depression.
More information: Caoimhe Lonergan et al, Associations between adiposity measures and depression and well-being scores: A cross-sectional analysis of middle- to older-aged adults, PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299029
Journal information: PLoS ONE Provided by PLOS
