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Depression in association with severe obesity: changes with weight loss
John B Dixon1, Maureen E Dixon, Paul E O'Brien
1Department of Surgery, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. john.dixon@med.monash.edu.au
Archives of Internal Medicine
|September 25, 2003
Summary
Severe obesity is linked to depression, particularly in younger women with poor body image. Weight loss surgery significantly reduces depression symptoms, suggesting obesity may cause or worsen depression.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Bariatric Surgery
- Obesity Medicine
Background:
- The connection between severe obesity and depression remains unclear.
- This study investigates depression levels before and after bariatric surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between depression and severe obesity.
- To assess the impact of surgically induced weight loss on depression symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were collected from 487 patients pre-surgery and annually post-surgery.
- Predictors of depression and changes in BDI scores were analyzed using patient data.
Main Results:
- Higher preoperative depression scores were associated with younger age, female gender, and poorer body image.
- Weight loss led to a significant and sustained reduction in depression symptoms, evident up to 4 years post-surgery.
- Greater reductions in depression were observed in women, younger individuals, and those with more significant weight loss.
Conclusions:
- Severely obese individuals, especially younger women with poor body image, face a high risk of depression.
- Surgically induced weight loss results in sustained improvement in depression.
- Findings support the hypothesis that severe obesity contributes to or exacerbates depression.