Association between depressive symptoms and overweight and obesity in scholar adolescents: analysis of surveys from 18 countries

Author(s)

Natalia Motta Altoé

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2016-05-12

Examining board members

Paulo Rossi Menezes; Ana Paula Sayuri Sato

• Advisor: Paulo Rossi Menezes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Depression and obesity are currently considered important public health issues, causing large burden of disease and economic costs worldwide. Because of their high prevalence, and the fact that both are associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, a possible association between them has been examined. The present study aims to (a) estimate the prevalence of depressive symptoms, overweight and obesity in adolescents from many different countries, (b) extend previous research on the association between depressive symptoms and overweight/obesity from specific country or region to several countries, and (c) verify if the association varies across the different sociocultural contexts. METHOD: Is a cross-sectional study were we analyzed data from 18 countries that participated of the Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) between 2003 and 2008. Our sample contained 88587 adolescents (49.3% males) aged 11 to 17 years. We calculated Body Mass Index (BMI) using selfreported weight and height. We classified overweight and obesity as proposed by Cole & Lobstein (2012), considering BMI values according to the adolescent\'s age and sex. We assessed depressive symptoms with a self-reported question from the Mental Health module of the GSHS questionnaire. We conducted analyses to determine (a) the prevalence of depressive symptoms, overweight and obesity among the countries, (b) country-specific associations between depressive symptoms and overweight/obesity, and (c) if there was heterogeneity of the association across countries. RESULTS: There was marked cross-national variability in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (from 15.9% in Myanmar to 49.6% in Jordan), overweight (from 5.4% in Sri Lanka to 40.0% in the United Arab Emirates) and obesity (from 0.8% in Myanmar to 17.5% in the United Arab Emirates). Adjusting for age, eating behavior and physical activity, country-specific Odds Ratios (OR) for the association between depressive symptoms and overweight/obesity were only significant in a minority of countries. In pooled data across countries we found depressive symptoms significantly associated with overweight (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.13-1.26) and obesity (OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.15- 1.38), but only for females. CONCLUSIONS: These findings confirm the association between depressive symptoms and overweight/obesity among female adolescents. The fact that the association was homogeneous within the different countries and that we found association when examining pooled data across countries may suggest that country-specific sociocultural contexts could not make an influence on this association. Future studies that elucidate causal and mediating factors may help with identification and design of effective programs and policies for prevention and treatment of depression and overweight (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/13217-8 - Association between depressive and anxious symptoms and overweight in adolescents and its relationship with socioeconomic and demographic factors
• Grantee: Natalia Motta Altoé
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master