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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

An Unpredictable Chronic Mild Stress Protocol for Instigating Depressive Symptoms, Behavioral Changes and Negative Health Outcomes in Rodents
Published on: December 2, 2015
Depressive symptoms predispose females to metabolic syndrome: a 7-year follow-up study
M Vanhala1, J Jokelainen, S Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi
1Unit of Family Practice, Central Hospital of Middle Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland.
Objective:
To evaluate the risk for developing metabolic syndrome when having depressive symptoms.
Method:
The prevalence of depressive symptoms and metabolic syndrome at baseline, and after a 7-year follow-up as measured with Beck depression inventory (BDI), and using the modified National Cholesterol Education Program--Adult Treatment Panel III criteria for metabolic syndrome (MetS) were studied in a middle-aged population-based sample (n = 1294).
Results:
The logistic regression analysis showed a 2.5-fold risk (95% CI: 1.2-5.2) for the females with depressive symptoms (BDI >or=10) at baseline to have MetS at the end of the follow-up. The risk was highest in the subgroup with more melancholic symptoms evaluated with a summary score of the melancholic items in BDI (OR 6.81, 95% CI: 2.09-22.20). In men, there was no risk difference.
Conclusion:
The higher risks for MetS in females with depressive symptoms at baseline suggest that depression may be an important predisposing factor for the development of MetS.
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