RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND BODY MASS INDEX AMONG ADULTS IN AL-NAJAF CITY, IRAQ: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity and depression were common problems and major public health concerns. Both of these conditions are strongly linked to mortality and morbidity, as well as the social and economic effects of cognitive impairment and healthcare costs. Understanding the potential association between depression and obesity is essential for a comprehensive understanding of these health issues and for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies that address the complex interplay between mental and physical health. 

Objective: This study aimed to study the association between depression and obesity, also to explore other risk factors like exercise, family history and sociodemographic characteristics in the association between obesity and depression.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Al- Najaf Governorate at Al-Sadr Medical City (Diabetes and endocrinology center). The sample size about 300 participants (two control for every case) were separate into two groups, obese group with Body Mass Index (BMI ≥30 ????????⁄????2) and control group with BMI around (18.5−24.9????????⁄????2). All participants were taken randomly from adult individuals ages ranged between (18-60) years in Al-Najaf Governorate. The data were gathered from October to the end of January.

Result: The association between obesity and depression was a significant, this study indicates that mild depression increases the odds of being an obese by more than twofold with an odds ratio of 2.21 (95% CI: 1.17-4.15). Moderate depression has an odds ratio of 2.47 (95% CI: 1.36-4.48), while severe depression has the highest odds ratio of 6.25(95% CI: 1.49-26.14). Also this study indicating a significant association between obesity and exercise (p < 0.001), obesity and family history of obesity (p = 0.038) and obesity and family history of depression (p = 0.014). The association between obesity and socio-demographics characteristics was only significant with education level (P=0.03), while the other characteristics were not significant (p-value = >0.05).

Conclusions: The study concluded that those who had depression symptoms were more likely to develop obesity than those who had a minimal or no depression symptoms.