Korean J Fam Med.  2015 Mar;36(2):82-91. 10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.2.82.

Suicidal Ideation in Underweight Adults Who Attempt to Lose Weight: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012

• Kim J
• Shin J
• Kim YA
• Lee J

• KMID: 2304127
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2015.36.2.82

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Being underweight has been related to health risks. However, little is known about the relationship between suicidal ideation and attempting to lose weight. This study was conducted to examine if there is an association between suicidal ideation and attempting to lose weight among underweight adults.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study of 1,122 underweight adults (range, 19 to 69 years) was conducted based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2012. We examined suicidal ideation, doctor-diagnosed depression, depressive mood, stress, physical activity, health-related behavior, comorbidity, and socioeconomic status by weight loss attempts. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between suicidal ideation and weight loss attempts. The following covariates were controlled for: age, sex, physical activity, alcohol problem, marital status, education, income, occupation, self-perception of body image, chronic disease, and body mass index.
RESULTS
There were 101 subjects in the weight loss attempt group and 1,021 in the non-attempt group. The attempt group had a higher risk of suicidal ideation (odds ratio [OR], 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 4.53) and depressive symptoms (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.98). After depressive symptoms were added to the covariates, the risk of suicidal ideation was also significant (OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.03 to 4.35). The two groups did not significantly differ in doctor-diagnosed depression and stress.
CONCLUSION
Weight loss attempts were associated with suicidal ideation in underweight Korean adults.

Keyword

Thinness; Weight Loss; Suicidal Ideation

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Body Image
Body Mass Index
Chronic Disease
Comorbidity
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression
Education
Humans
Korea
Logistic Models
Marital Status
Motor Activity
Nutrition Surveys*
Occupations
Self Concept
Social Class
Suicidal Ideation*
Thinness*
Weight Loss