Obesity and the longitudinal course of pediatric bipolar disorder

Abstract

To examine the association between obesity and the course of pediatric bipolar disorder (BP). Subjects (N=323), 7-17 years old, were in the Course and Outcome of Bipolar Illness among Youth (COBY) study. Illness characteristics during 4 years of follow-up were examined as they relate to obesity at intake. Compared to non-obese subjects, obese subjects spent a significantly greater proportion of follow-up weeks with syndromal symptoms, which was mainly accounted for by major depressive episodes. Obese subjects were significantly more likely to experience syndromal manic and depressive episodes. Obese subjects were more likely to demonstrate psychosis during follow-up, and there was a trend toward increased rates of psychiatric hospitalization. Obesity is associated with a more severe prospective longitudinal course of BP among youth.