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Body mass index and suicide.
Amy E Austin1, Corinna van den Heuvel, Roger W Byard
1From the *Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, The University of Adelaide; and †Pathology, Forensic Science SA, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Summary
This study found no link between higher body mass index (BMI) and suicide risk in a South Australian cohort. However, individuals who died by hanging had significantly lower BMIs than control groups.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Science
- Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- A potential association between depression and increased body mass index (BMI) has been proposed.
- Given depression's link to suicide, this study investigated if elevated BMI is also characteristic of suicide victims.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if a high body mass index (BMI) is associated with suicide.
- To explore BMI differences in suicide victims based on the method of death.
Main Methods:
- A South Australian cohort study compared the BMIs of 100 consecutive suicide victims with 100 sex- and age-matched controls.
- Control cases included deaths from accidents, homicides, or natural diseases.
- BMI data was analyzed, including comparisons between suicide methods.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in BMI or BMI categories were observed between suicide victims and the control group.
- Significantly lower BMIs were found in individuals who died by hanging compared to both controls and suicide victims using other methods (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- This study did not substantiate an association between increased BMI and suicide.
- Further research is warranted to understand the lower BMIs observed in hanging deaths and their potential implications for specific victim subgroups.
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