Association between mood disorders and BMI/overweight using a family study approach

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Genetics
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Atypical depression, characterized by overeating and hypersomnia, shows familial specificity.
• Previous research established familial transmission but not specific familial components.
• This study investigates if Body Mass Index (BMI) and overweight/obesity link to mood disorders within families.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the familial specificity of atypical depression.
• To determine if the association between BMI/overweight and mood disorders contributes to familial transmission.
• To explore the relationship between atypical depression and familial aggregation of BMI/overweight.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a sample of 293 probands and 544 adult first-degree relatives.
• Employed direct semi-structured interviews for diagnostic assignments.
• Applied mixed-effect models to analyze familial aggregation and cross-aggregation of mood disorders and BMI/overweight.

Main Results:

• Significant within-individual association found between overweight and atypical depression (p=0.003).
• Familial cross-aggregation observed for BMI/overweight between probands and relatives (OR=1.57).
• Atypical depression in probands significantly associated with relatives' BMI and overweight (OR=2.79).

Conclusions:

• Overweight may be a precursor or consequence of atypical depression, not a shared diathesis.
• Findings suggest overweight is linked to atypical depression's familial aggregation.
• Clinicians should monitor atypical depression patients for cardiovascular risk factors due to potential links with overweight.