Is Obesity Associated with Major Depression? Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994) were used to examine the relation between obesity and depression. Past-month depression was defined using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, and was measured with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2) of 30 or higher. The authors compared risks of depression in obese and normal-weight (body mass index 18.5-24.9) persons. Obesity was associated with past-month depression in women (odds ratio (OR)=1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 3.3) but was not significantly associated in men (OR=1.73, 95% CI: 0.56, 5.37).…