Depressive symptoms in individuals with overweight and obesity. Results from the LIFE-adult-study

Prevalences of overweight and obesity are rising worldwide. Comorbidity of depressive symptoms and overweight or obesity are considered as a major public (mental) health issue. The aim was to determine prevalences in a non-treatment seeking population of adults, investigating possible confounders as well as interaction effects.

The overall sample included 6200 participants aged 40 to 80 years from the LIFE-Adult-Study. Body Mass Index (BMI), symptoms of depression, somatic complaints, as well as health-related factors were surveyed using validated instruments.

Overall, 5.5 % of individuals with overweight and 7.3 % of individuals with obesity reported depressive symptoms in the past 7 days, compared to 5.8 % of individuals without obesity/overweight. At total, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 2.2 % among individuals with overweight and 1.7 % among individuals with obesity. Multivariate regression models revealed an overall positive association between BMI and depressive symptoms (β = 0.031, p = 0.001), adjusting for covariates. Moreover, being unmarried, higher age, low or medium SES, more somatization and medium physical activity was significantly linked to severity of depressive symptoms.

The results underline the importance of addressing comorbidity in research and practice. While the overall number of people with both obesity and depressive symptoms in the population is low, individuals with obesity may be more vulnerable to experience depression than those without obesity. Comorbidity may be associated with consequences on overall health and quality of life. Further research is needed, especially longitudinal studies in order to explain the role and causality of socio-demographic or health-related factors.