Obesity and mental health among adults in France

Abstract

To investigate the roles of socio-economic characteristics and lifestyle in obesity and mental health jointly and interaction between the two for adults in France, where in-depth analysis has not existed on the subject. Data are from the 2008 Survey of Health and Disability. The sample comprises individuals who responded to the filter Survey of Daily Life and Health. The Health and Disability component was conducted among 30,000 children and adults face-to-face. Mental health information was collected in self-administered questionnaires. The study sample comprises 13,628 adults age 20 and above. We estimate a simultaneous-equation system of ordinal body weight and continuous mental health. Marginal effects are calculated to exploit the roles of exogenous variables in the two health outcomes. Overweight and obesity contribute to mental health disorders, more notably in men than women. Men with mental health disorders are less likely to be overweight or obese. Education beyond the baccalaureate level decreases the probabilities of overweight and obesity substantially and improves mental health for both men and women. Lifestyle, dietary habit, income, and age play important roles in mental health and obesity. Gender differences are present. Demographic factors play important roles in obesity and mental health. Policy interventions should address obesity and mental health jointly and be gender specific. Promoting a physically active lifestyle and education can have definitive impacts.