Abstract
Introduction: Epidemiologic data proposed a relationship between obesity and depression in older adults. We conducted this study to evaluate the association between obesity and depressive disorders, as well as a range of eating disorders in old women. Methods: From a total of 1477 clients referred to an outpatient clinic, 212 obese persons (97 persons 60+ and 115 persons 40 - 59 years of age) were enrolled. Data of demographics, comorbidities, anthropometrics, physical activity level, and diet, as well as, depressive and eating disorders were collected. Depressive and eating disorders were assessed using diagnostic structural interview based on DSM-IV-TR (Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder—fourth edition— Text version). BMI more than or equal to 30 was considered as obesity. Results: The prevalence of dysthymic disorder was significantly lower in older women compared to younger (p = 0.026). Comparable but not significant results were observed for major depression disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that obese older women were less likely to suffer from Comorbid dysthymic disorder/obesity compared to younger.
Highlights
Epidemiologic data proposed a relationship between obesity and depression in older adults
It’s supposed that the older obese are less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms, known as “jolly fat” hypothesis (Crisp & McGuiness, 1976)
We found that older obese women were less likely to suffer from dysthymic disorder than their middle-aged compartments
Summary
Epidemiologic data proposed a relationship between obesity and depression in older adults. We conducted this study to evaluate the association between obesity and depressive disorders, as well as a range of eating disorders in old women. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that obese older women were less likely to suffer from Comorbid dysthymic disorder/obesity compared to younger. Weight-related stigma, suggests that stigmatizing has prominent role that causes obese patients to suffer from co-morbid depression. Different studies were dedicated to assessing the relationship between obesity and depression in the elderly, limited data are available on the obesity and dysthymic disorder relation as well as its relationship with eating disorder. In this study we aimed to assess the correlations between obesity, eating and depressive disorders in the elderly compared to middle-aged individuals
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