Increased waist circumference is associated with a

Authors: Rodrigo O Moreira K F Marca J C Appolinario W F Coutinho

Publish Date: 2013/10/21

Volume: 12, Issue: 1, Pages: 35-40

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE There is growing evidence suggesting that obese patients may be more prone to develop certain psychiatric diseases especially mood disorders However no studies have already determined which indicator of fat distribution best explains these comorbidities The aim of this study is to investigate which anthropometric indicator of overweight ie body mass index BMI waist circumference WC or waist/hip ratio WHR best correlates with the presence of current mood disorders and the severity of depressive symptoms in obese women METHODS Two hundred seventeen 217 obese women BMI≥30 kg/m2 between 18 and 75 years old were selected to participate in the study All participants had anthropometrical data registered The diagnosis of current mood disorders was assessed according to the Portuguese version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSMIV SCID The severity of depressive symptoms was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory BDI RESULTS A statistically significant association was found between BDI scores and BMI r=016 p=0018 and WC r=020 p=0004 but not WHR r=010 p=015 or any sociodemographic variable An increased prevalence of mood disorders was observed in the fourth quartile of WC but not BMI or WHR in comparison with the first and the second ones p005 DISCUSSION In conclusion obesity per se seems to be an independent variable associated with the severity of depressive symptoms and the prevalence of current mood disorders in obese women Waist circumference and not BMI or WHR seems to be the anthropometric indicator of overweight and fat distribution that best explains these findings

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