Association of depression and obesity is mediated by weight perception

This study investigates whether the association between obesity and depression is mediated by the perception of body weight and verifies the combined effect of being obese and having a self-perception of being fat on depression in a population-based sample of 1238 individuals. Weight perception mediated the association between depression and obesity in 39.3 percent of participants. In stratified analysis, mediation occurred in the following groups: non-single, those with more schooling, non-alcohol abusers, non-smokers, and those who did not engage in physical activity. Being obese and having a self-perception of being fat produced a potentiating effect, significantly increasing the likelihood of depression.