Abstract
Antidepressants have been associated with weight gain, but the causes are unclear. The aims of this study were to assess the association of antidepressant use with energy intake, macronutrient diet composition, and physical activity. We used data on medication use, energy intake, diet composition, and physical activity for 3073 eligible adults from the 2005–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Potential confounding variables, including depression symptoms, were included in the models assessing energy intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. Antidepressant users reported consuming an additional (mean ± S.E.) 215 ± 73 kcal/day compared to non-users (p = 0.01). There were no differences in percent calories from sugar, fat, or alcohol between the two groups. Antidepressant users had similar frequencies of walking or biking, engaging in muscle-strengthening activities, and engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity. Antidepressant users were more likely to use a computer for ≥2 h/day (OR 1.77; 95% CI: 1.09–2.90), but TV watching was similar between the two groups. These results suggest increased energy intake and sedentary behavior may contribute to weight gain associated with antidepressant use. Focusing on limiting food intake and sedentary behaviors may be important in mitigating the weight gain associated with antidepressant use.
Highlights
Antidepressants are among the most widely prescribed medications, being used by more than 10% of Americans at any given time [1]
Weight gain among antidepressant users is problematic as the prevalence of obesity is higher in patients with depression compared to the general population [9]
Given the potential negative long-term health impacts and unknown mechanism of weight gain, the aims of this study were to determine the association of antidepressant use with energy intake and physical activity using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
Summary
Antidepressants are among the most widely prescribed medications, being used by more than 10% of Americans at any given time [1]. Initial observations of weight gain among individuals taking antidepressants were attributed to regaining weight that was lost as a symptom of depression. As more consistent data emerged, it became clear that there was additional weight gain associated with the use of the antidepressant medications [2,8]. Weight gain among antidepressant users is problematic as the prevalence of obesity is higher in patients with depression compared to the general population [9]. Sedentary behavior is an important variable to assess in this population given that it is independently associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and overall mortality [13,14]
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