Gender differences in the association between adiposity and probable major depression: a cross-sectional study of 140,564 UK Biobank participants (original) (raw)

Ul-Haq, Z. et al. (2014) Gender differences in the association between adiposity and probable major depression: a cross-sectional study of 140,564 UK Biobank participants.BMC Psychiatry, 14, p. 153. (doi: 10.1186/1471-244X-14-153)

Abstract

Background

Previous studies on the association between adiposity and mood disorder have produced contradictory results, and few have used measurements other than body mass index (BMI). We examined the association between probable major depression and several measurements of adiposity: BMI, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR), and body fat percentage (BF%).

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study using baseline data on the sub-group of UK Biobank participants who were assessed for mood disorder. Multivariate logistic regression models were used, adjusting for potential confounders including: demographic and life-style factors, comorbidity and psychotropic medication.

Results

Of the 140,564 eligible participants, evidence of probable major depression was reported by 30,145 (21.5%). The fully adjusted odds ratios (OR) for obese participants were 1.16 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12, 1.20) using BMI, 1.15 (95% CI 1.11, 1.19) using WC, 1.09 (95% CI 1.05, 1.13) using WHR and 1.18 (95% CI 1.12, 1.25) using BF% (all p <0.001). There was a significant interaction between adiposity and gender (p = 0.001). Overweight women were at increased risk of depression with a dose response relationship across the overweight (25.0-29.9 kg/m2), obese I (30.0-34.9 kg/m2), II (35.0-39.9 kg/m2) and III (≥40.0 kg/m2) categories; fully adjusted ORs 1.14, 1.20, 1.29 and 1.48, respectively (all p < 0.001). In contrast, only obese III men had significantly increased risk of depression (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.08, 1.54, p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Adiposity was associated with probable major depression, irrespective of the measurement used. The association was stronger in women than men. Physicians managing overweight and obese women should be alert to this increased risk.

Item Type: Articles
Status: Published
Refereed: Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mackay, Professor Daniel and Cullen, Dr Breda and Martin, Dr Daniel and Nicholl, Professor Barbara and Smith, Professor Daniel and Evans, Professor Jonathan and Pell, Professor Jill and Gill, Professor Jason
Authors: Ul-Haq, Z., Smith, D. J., Nicholl, B. I., Cullen, B., Martin, D., Gill, J. M., Evans, J., Roberts, B., Deary, I. J., Gallacher, J., Hotopf, M., Craddock, N., Mackay, D. F., and Pell, J. P.
College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public HealthCollege of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and WellbeingCollege of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary CareCollege of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
Journal Name: BMC Psychiatry
Publisher: BioMed Central
ISSN: 1471-244X
Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Authors
First Published: First published in BMC Psychiatry 14:153
Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Deposit and Record Details

ID Code: 94374
Depositing User: Mrs Lorraine Waddell
Datestamp: 10 Jun 2014 13:53
Last Modified: 02 May 2025 02:14
Date of first online publication: May 2014
Date Deposited: 15 December 2015