Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Human Genetics01:28

Human Genetics

Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
Depressive Disorders: Etiology01:27

Depressive Disorders: Etiology

Depressive disorders result from a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors, each contributing uniquely to the development and persistence of the condition. Understanding these factors provides critical insight into the multifaceted nature of depression.
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs01:23

Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs

Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
Depression: Overview01:18

Depression: Overview

Depression is a prevalent mental illness marked by persistent sadness and lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities. It can take several forms, including major depression, persistent depressive disorder, and bipolar I and II disorders. Symptoms range from emotional changes like chronic worry to physical changes like sleep disturbances and suicidal thoughts. From a neurobiological perspective, depression is believed to be triggered by abnormalities in the brain's prefrontal cortex,...
Bulimia Nervosa01:30

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genetic and Environmental Effects on BMI Fluctuation Across the Adult Life Course and Its Associations With Baseline BMI and BMI Change: An Individual-Based Study of 14 Longitudinal Twin Cohorts.

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism·2026
Same author

Provider Mental Health and Telehealth Utilization During COVID-19: A Cross-sectional Survey of Providers at Clinics Treating Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples.

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities·2026
Same author

Normative cognitive test performance and typical error patterns among American Indian older adults: The Strong Heart Study.

Neuropsychology·2026
Same author

Genetic and environmental influences on educational disparities in adult weight change: an individual-based pooled analysis of 11 twin cohorts.

International journal of obesity (2005)·2026
Same author

The adaptation and evaluation of a culturally grounded lifestyle intervention to mitigate the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders: A study protocol.

SSM. Mental health·2026
Same author

Assessing racial disparities in dementia-related vulnerabilities: a machine learning analysis of social, environmental, and climate factors.

Ethnicity & health·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
03:05

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Published on: November 21, 2025

Depression and obesity: do shared genes explain the relationship?

Niloofar Afari1, Carolyn Noonan, Jack Goldberg

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, University of California-San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0738, USA. nafari@ucsd.edu

Depression and Anxiety
|September 8, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Shared genes may explain the link between depression and obesity in women. This study found that 12% of the genetic risk for depression is also associated with obesity, suggesting a common genetic basis.

More Related Videos

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
14:56

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
07:57

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 9, 2026

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
03:05

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Published on: November 21, 2025

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies
14:56

Sample Preparation to Bioinformatics Analysis of DNA Methylation: Association Strategy for Obesity and Related Trait Studies

Published on: May 6, 2022

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats
07:57

A New Method for Inducing a Depression-Like Behavior in Rats

Published on: February 22, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Genetics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • A modest association exists between depression and obesity, particularly in women.
  • Both depression and obesity have significant genetic components.
  • The study investigates if shared genetic factors underlie this observed association.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the extent of shared genetic influences between depression and obesity in female twins.
  • To quantify the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to depression and obesity.
  • To analyze the phenotypic association between these two conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from 712 monozygotic and 281 dizygotic female twin pairs.
  • Depression assessed via self-report of doctor-diagnosed depression.
  • Obesity defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m².
  • Employed generalized estimating regression and bivariate structural equation models.

Main Results:

  • A modest phenotypic association was observed between depression and obesity (OR=1.6).
  • Substantial additive genetic effects were found for depression (57%) and obesity (81%).
  • Bivariate modeling indicated that 12% of the genetic component for depression is shared with obesity.

Conclusions:

  • Shared genetic risk factors likely contribute to the association between depression and obesity in women.
  • Further research is recommended to explore the complex interplay of genetic, environmental, social, and cultural factors.