183646 Relationship of depressive symptoms with obesity: ACTION, a wellness program for school personnel

Wednesday, October 29, 2008: 8:45 AM

Carolyn C. Johnson, PhD , Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Larry S. Webber, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Janet C. Rice, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Donald (Diego) Rose, PhD, MPH , Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA
Purpose: To examine the relationship of depressive symptoms (DS) with body mass index (BMI) among elementary school personnel participating in an obesity-prevention program in the Greater New Orleans Area.

Method: The Center for Epidemiological-Depression (CES-D) scale measured DS. Accelerometer was used to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), and self-report published scales measured uncontrolled and emotional eating and cognitive restraint in eating. Height and weight were measured with a standardized digital scale and stadiometer.

Results: Respondents (n=787) were 95% female and 75% Caucasian. Almost 72% were overweight (BMI=25-29) or obese (BMI=>30), with an average BMI of 30; the average CES-D score was 13.1. Mean MVPA was about one minute per day. African-American personnel had a higher mean BMI than Caucasians or “other” (33.3 vs 29.3 and 28.6, p<0.001). DS (r=0.13) and uncontrolled (r=0.26) and emotional (r=0.29) eating were positively associated with BMI, while MVPA (r=-0.15) and cognitive restraint in eating (r=-0.12) were inversely associated with BMI (all p<0.001). DS were not related to MVPA. After controlling for gender and race, DS were still positively associated with BMI, but after controlling for the eating behaviors, the relationship between DS and BMI was no longer observed.

Conclusion: There is a relationship between depressive symptoms and BMI which becomes nonsignificant when eating behaviors are added to the model. Results indicate that continued longitudinal investigation of these variables will be useful in identifying relationships meaningful for the prevention of obesity.

Learning Objectives:
1. List the importance of using reliable and valid measurements for physical activity and depression. 2. Describe additional data contributing to the relationship between physical activity and depression

Keywords: Obesity, School-Based Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been involved in conducting school-based health education and health promotion for more than 20 years. I have numerous publications relating to this field and have been funded as PI, co-PI, and co-investigator on grant funding for school-based programs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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