237227 Associations between obesity and depression by race/ethnicity and education among women: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2005-2008

Monday, October 31, 2011: 12:50 PM

Arlene Keddie, PhD , School of Nursing and Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Marine Nalbandyan, MD, MPH , formerly School of Nursing and Health Studies, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL
Background and Significance: Studies of the association between depression and obesity among women have not always produced consistent results, perhaps because this association only applies to specific ethnic and socioeconomic subgroups. Objective: To examine associations between depression and obesity within Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women of different educational levels. Methods: Using data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N=3,774), logistic regression models were run to test associations between obesity (operationalized as body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC)) and depression, stratified on race/ethnicity and education. Results: After controlling for several demographic, behavioral and health factors, Non-Hispanic White women with ≥12 years of education and WC ≥88 cm had more than double the odds of depression compared to those with WC <88 cm (odds ratio (OR): 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.34-3.45). A similar increase in the odds of depression was found in the same racial/ethnic and education group whose BMI was ≥25 compared to those of normal BMI (OR: 2.41, 95% CI: 1.35-4.27). Among Non-Hispanic Black women with <12 years of education, depression was negatively associated with BMI ≥30 (OR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.07-0.75) and unassociated with WC. No associations were found among Hispanics in adjusted models, and none at all among better educated Non-Hispanic Black or less educated Non-Hispanic White women. Conclusion: It is possible that the psychological significance of obesity is culturally influenced. Other risk factors for depression may also outweigh the effect of obesity among many minority and less educated women.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
After attending this presentation, participants will be able to discuss racial/ethnic and educational differences in associations between obesity and depression in women.

Keywords: Depression, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have a Ph.D. in epidemiology and am an assistant professor in the public health program at Northern Illinois University. I have been conducting research related to this topic for nearly two years.
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.

See more of: Health Disparities
See more of: Epidemiology