Associations between weight-control methods and depression among Korean adolescents: a study based on a national...

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods.

This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12 yrs (2007-2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescription/non-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods.

Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35-1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74-0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41-1.52) and vomiting (wOR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.36-1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression.

The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weight-control medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.