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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BMI, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OTHER HEALTH COVARIABLES, AND DEPRESSION IN ADULTS

Abstract

Ian C. Macali1, Megan E. Holmes1, Erik Lind2. 1Mississippi State, Mississippi State, MS. 2State University of New York, Cortland, NY.

BACKGROUND: The National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) shows an increase of 11.4% in adult obesity prevalence from 1999-2017 (Akinbami et. al., 2022) and an increase in depressive disorders in adults as well (Greenberg et. al., 2021) Previous research suggests a modest relationship between obesity and depression (DEP) with recommendations for analysis of more robust covariates for more accurate inferences (Atlantis & Baker, 2008). Physical activity (PA) provides mental health benefits for depressed people, even at levels lower than that of current PA recommendations for health. (Pearce et. al., 2022). PURPOSE: This study examines the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and DEP and the potential moderation of PA on this relationship. METHODS: NHANES (2017-2018) data was used. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between BMI and DEP and to determine if PA plays a potential moderating effect on the BMI-DEP relation. Covariates included smoking status, sex, and socioeconomic status via monthly poverty index. Significance was set at p=0.05. RESULTS: 5,856 participants (51.5% female) were included in the analysis. Mean BMI was 29.72 (±7.44 kg/m²). Mean PA was 130.41 (±179.61 min/week-1) and mean family monthly poverty index was 2.79 (±1.54). Smoking status was categorized as smoker, occasional smoker and non-smoker, which represented 34.1%, 9.2%, and 56.7% of participants, respectively. Mean score on the DEP screening tool was 3.37 (±4.58). A significant model (R²=.112, F=63.4, p=< 0.0001) emerged with main effects of BMI (β=0.008, p= 0.0008), PA (β=-0.002, p= 0.0027), family monthly poverty index (β=-0.316, p= 0.0112), sex (β=1.187, p=0.0001), and smoking status (β=-0.874, p=<0.0001) contributing to the overall model. The interaction between PA and BMI was non-significant. CONCLUSION: The modest association between BMI and depression suggests BMI plays a small, but significant role in depressive symptoms. Practitioners working with individuals with obesity may find it beneficial to screen for DEP and collaborate with mental health professionals when developing intervention strategies.

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