Weight control success and depression by gender with respect to weight control behaviors

There are many methods for weight loss and they vary among people. Some are yet to be proven as appropriate regarding its physical or mental side effect. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight control success and depression by weight control behaviors (WCB) dividing them into appropriate and inappropriate.

We used data from the 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). A total of 4506 people were included in the study. The depression was measured by the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire as a dependent variable. Using multiple regression analysis to determine the association between weight control success and depression with appropriate and inappropriate WCB, in men and women, separately.

We found that appropriate WCB was associated with decreased depression in women who had both success and fail (success: β=-0.16, S.E=0.50, p<.001; fail: β=-0.09, S.E=0.04, p=0.04), whereas inappropriate WCB increased depression in men regardless of success or failure at weight control (success: β=0.41, p=0.02; fail: β=0.22, p=0.02). Thus, women who are successful at weight control and use appropriate WCB are more likely to have a decrease in depressive symptoms. However, men are most affected by using inappropriate WCB and can have an increase in depressive symptoms as a result.

The findings have implications for encouraging the use of appropriate WCB for those attempting to control weight, especially in women.