RT Journal
A1 Simon GE, Von Korff M, Saunders K, et al
T1 ASsociation between obesity and psychiatric disorders in the us adult population
JF Archives of General Psychiatry
JO Archives of General Psychiatry
YR 2006
FD July 1
VO 63
IS 7
SP 824
OP 830
DO 10.1001/archpsyc.63.7.824
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.63.7.824
AB Background 
    Epidemiologic data suggest an association between obesity and depression, but findings vary across studies and suggest a stronger relationship in women than men.Objective 
    To evaluate the relationship between obesity and a range of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders in the US general population.Design 
    Cross-sectional epidemiologic survey.Setting 
    Nationally representative sample of US adults.Participants 
    A total of 9125 respondents who provided complete data on psychiatric disorder, height, and weight. Response rate was 70.9%.Main Outcome Measures 
    Participants completed an in-person interview, including assessment of a range of mental disorders (assessed using the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview) and height and weight (by self-report).Results 
    Obesity (defined as body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters] of ≥30) was associated with significant increases in lifetime diagnosis of major depression (odds ratio [OR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.35), bipolar disorder (OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.12-1.93), and panic disorder or agoraphobia (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.60). Obesity was associated with significantly lower lifetime risk of substance use disorder (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.93). Subgroup analyses found no difference in these associations between men and women, but the association between obesity and mood disorder was strongest in non-Hispanic whites (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.20-1.59) and college graduates (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.14-1.81).Conclusions 
    Obesity is associated with an approximately 25% increase in odds of mood and anxiety disorders and an approximately 25% decrease in odds of substance use disorders. Variation across demographic groups suggests that social or cultural factors may moderate or mediate the association between obesity and mood disorder.