J Prev Med Public Health.  2017 Jul;50(4):262-267. 10.3961/jpmph.17.067.

Can Obesity Cause Depression? A Pseudo-panel Analysis

• Ha H
• Han C
• Kim B

• KMID: 2387580
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.17.067

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The US ranks ninth in obesity in the world, and approximately 7% of US adults experience major depressive disorder. Social isolation due to the stigma attached to obesity might trigger depression.
METHODS
This paper examined the impact of obesity on depression. To overcome the endogeneity problem, we constructed pseudo-panel data using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 1997 to 2008.
RESULTS
The results were robust, and body mass index (BMI) was found to have a positive effect on depression days and the percentage of depressed individuals in the population.
CONCLUSIONS
We attempted to overcome the endogeneity problem by using a pseudo-panel approach and found that increases in the BMI increased depression days (or being depressed) to a statistically significant extent, with a large effect size.

Keyword

Obesity; Depression; Body mass index; Social isolation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Body Mass Index
Depression*
Depressive Disorder, Major
Humans
Obesity*
Social Isolation