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Depression and body composition among older adults.
Briana Mezuk1, Sherita Hill Golden, William W Eaton
1Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA, USA. bmezuk@vcu.edu
Aging & Mental Health
|June 28, 2011
Summary
Depression is linked to lower body fat and lean mass in older women, suggesting a connection between mental health and physical frailty in later life. This study explored depression and body composition in adults aged 60 and older.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Recent research suggests a link between depression and geriatric syndromes like frailty and osteoporosis.
- These syndromes are often associated with low body mass.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between depression and body composition in older adults.
- To determine if depression impacts lean mass, fat mass, or central adiposity.
Main Methods:
- A case-cohort study of 98 adults aged 60+ from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) Study.
- Depression assessed using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS).
- Body composition measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Main Results:
- No overall association found between depression and total fat or lean body mass.
- In women, depression correlated with reduced central fat mass (B = -3.6 kg, p < 0.06) and lean mass (B = -3.3 kg, p < 0.04), after adjustments.
- No significant associations were observed between depression and body composition in men.
Conclusions:
- Depression is significantly associated with lower central fat and lean mass in older women.
- Findings support the hypothesis that depression and frailty are interconnected in older women.
- Further research may elucidate mechanisms linking depression, body composition, and frailty.
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