Mood Emot.  2021 Mar;19(1):24-34. 10.35986/me.2021.19.1.24.

A Study on the Relationship among Obesity, Suicide Plans, and Suicide Attempts: The 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Park JH
• Seo MK
• Kim T
• Park SW
• Lee JG

• KMID: 2525634
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.35986/me.2021.19.1.24

Abstract

Background
This study explores the correlation among obesity, suicide plans, and suicide attempts in adults over 19 years of age in South Korea.
Methods
The study used data from adults who had participated in the 2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obesity was defined as having a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m 2 . To identify differences between the characteristics of those who had reported suicide plans and attempts, a complex sample chi-square test was conducted. To analyze the effect of obesity on suicide plans and attempts, a logistic regression analysis was performed.
Results
There was no significant difference in the rate of suicide plans in one year between obese and non-obese groups; however, the rate of actual suicide attempts was significantly high in the obese group (p<0.050). After correcting for variables that were significantly different between the groups, obesity was found to have no significant effect on suicide plans but was linked to a significant increase in suicide attempts (odds ratio=3.355, p=0.008).
Conclusion
Obesity was found to have no effect on the suicide planning rate; however, the probability of a suicide attempt was high in obese adults.

Keyword

KNHANES; Obesity; Suicide; Suicidal attempt