Obesity and Depression In Middle-Aged Women. Philadelphia PA

Obesity is defined as weight that exceeds 15 percent of normal weight for height and body type. Morbid obesity exceeds 20 percent of optimum weight. Obesity is considered a disease state. Life expectancy may be decreased in overweight and obese individuals. The distribution of body weight is important. "Apple" shaped women--women with 30 inch or larger waists and more or less equal waist and hip measurements--appear more susceptible to heart disease and diabetes than "pear" shaped women. The social stigma attached to obesity may lead to depression.

Depression has been classified as a mood disorder or affective disorder. Depression is a common disorder that affects approximately 5 percent of the population at any given time, and about 30 percent of adults will suffer from depression over a lifetime. Women are two to three times more likely to suffer from depression than men. Increased appetite and weight gain are common symptoms of depression. Also, depressed individuals are less likely to exercise.

Researchers evaluated the link between obesity and depression in 4,641 women aged 40-65 years. The enrollees completed a telephone interview responding to items on height, weight, physical activity, diet and body image. They also completed the Patient Health Questionnaire to assess depression symptoms. The results were women with depression were twice as likely to be obese and obese women were twice as likely to be depressed. Also, women with body mass index (BMI) over 30 exercised the least, had the lowest body image and had the highest calorie intake. The researchers concluded that depression often coexists with obesity in many middle-aged women and health care providers should monitor for depression and treat it accordingly in overweight individuals.¹

¹ Simon GE, Ludman EJ, Linde JA, et al. Association between obesity and depression in middle-aged women. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. Jan2008;30(1):32-9.