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Association between self-changes in body mass index patterns and depressive symptoms: a longitudinal follow-up study
Rafael Mathias Pitta1, Oskar Grau Kaufmann1, Eduardo Rossato de Victo1
1Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Maintaining obesity over time is linked to a higher likelihood of depression in adults and older individuals. This longitudinal study highlights the connection between persistent obesity and mental health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Obesity and depression are significant public health concerns.
- Understanding the longitudinal relationship between body mass index (BMI) patterns and depression is crucial for intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between long-term changes in body mass index (BMI) patterns and the development of depression.
- To examine this relationship in a large cohort of adults and older individuals.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 1,944 adults and older individuals with baseline depressive symptoms was analyzed.
- Participants were categorized based on BMI changes: remained healthy, became healthy, became obese, or remained obese.
- Hierarchical logistic regression was used to assess the link between BMI patterns and depression at follow-up.
Main Results:
- Individuals who remained obese showed significantly higher odds of depression (OR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04-1.71, p=0.026).
- This association persisted after adjusting for various clinical and lifestyle factors.
Conclusions:
- Persistent obesity is longitudinally associated with depression in both adult and older populations.
- These findings underscore the importance of addressing obesity for mental health outcomes.
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