Association between body size, weight change and depression: systematic review and meta-analysis

Sun Jae Jung; Hyung-Taek Woo; Sooyoung Cho; Kyounghoon Park; Seokhun Jeong; Yu Jin Lee; Daehee Kang; Aesun Shin

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.116.186726

Association between body size, weight change and depression: systematic review and meta-analysis

Br J Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;211(1):14-21. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.186726. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Authors

Sun Jae Jung¹, Hyung-Taek Woo¹, Sooyoung Cho¹, Kyounghoon Park¹, Seokhun Jeong¹, Yu Jin Lee¹, Daehee Kang¹, Aesun Shin²

Affiliations

¹ Sun Jae June, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Hyuna-taek woo, MD, Sooyouna Cho, MS, Kyounahoon Park, MD, Seokhun Jeong, MD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Yu Jin Lee, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Daehee Kang, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Science, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Aesun Shin, MD, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
² Sun Jae June, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Science, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Hyuna-taek woo, MD, Sooyouna Cho, MS, Kyounahoon Park, MD, Seokhun Jeong, MD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Yu Jin Lee, MD, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea; Daehee Kang, MD, PhD, Department of Biomedical Science, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea; Aesun Shin, MD, PhD, Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine and cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea shinaesun@snu.ac.kr.

PMID: 28428339
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.186726

Abstract

BackgroundThe association between body size, weight change and depression has not been systematically summarised, especially for individuals who are underweight.AimsTo conduct a systematic review and a meta-analysis to examine the association between indices of body size, weight change and depression.MethodA total of 183 studies were selected. Fully adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) were extracted. A total of 76 studies contributed to data synthesis with a random-effect model, and subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of potential moderators.ResultsIn cohort studies, underweight at baseline increased the risk of subsequent depression (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.08-1.24). Overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m²) showed no statistically significant relationship with depression overall; however, the subgroup analyses found different results according to gender (men: OR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.97, women: OR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.25). In cross-sectional designs, obesity with BMI >40 kg/m² showed a greater pooled odds ratio than obesity with BMI >30 kg/m²ConclusionsBoth underweight and obesity increase the risk of depression. The association between overweight and depression differs by gender.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Review
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Body Size / physiology*
Body Weight / physiology*
Depression / physiopathology*
Humans