Content area
Full Text
Obesity and depression are two major public health problems among adolescents. Both obesity and depression are very prevalent and associated with numerous health complications, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, and increased mortality.1 Because they both carry a risk for cardiovascular disease, a possible association between depression and obesity has been assumed and studied.2
Several evidence-based studies have shown that obese teens have a higher incidence of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and poor self-esteem than nonobese teens.3 A reasonable conclusion is that obesity should predict depression, but the findings are not clear.4 In reality, few studies have found that obesity predicted depression over time, thus it has been proposed that instead of looking at the basic main effects of obesity predicting depression, it might be more practical to examine the specific processes or experiences by which obesity might lead to depression among adolescents so that specific interventions can be targeted.5
This article summarizes data on the role of mediating and moderating variables associated with obesity and depression among adolescents. This literature review also examines the thoughts and experiences of obese adolescents that facilitate the development of depressive symptoms.
Epidemiology of Obesity
Obesity is defined as an excess of body fat. The body mass index (BMI) is the standard measure of overweight and obesity in children 2 years of age and older. The BMI is equal to the body weight divided by the height squared. In adults, a BMI between 25 and 30 is regarded as overweight and a BMI greater or equal to 30 is regarded as obese. In children, the BMI vary with age and sex. Obesity in children is defined as a BMI greater than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and sex. As children come close to adulthood, the percentile BMI for age and sex approach the adult standards.6
Countries all over the world experienced a marked increase in the prevalence of overweight and obese children and adolescents from the 1980s to 1990s. Evidence from the US suggests that this upward trend has continued into the 21st century.7 A dramatic increase in the prevalence of obesity among adolescents in the United States was seen between 1976-1980 and 2007-2008.8,9
In addition,...