Relationship Between Obesity and Depression, Anxiety and Psychological Distress Among Iranian Health-Care Staff; [Relation Entre Obesite Et Depression, Anxiete Et Detresse Psychologique Parmi Le Personnel De Sante Iranien] Publisher Pubmed

Summary: Research shows abdominal obesity links to anxiety in women but not men, guiding mental health strategies. #MentalHealth #Obesity

Heidaribeni M¹ ; Azizisoleiman F² ; Afshar H³ ; Khosraviboroujeni H⁴ ; Keshteli AH^{5, 6} ; Esmaillzadeh A⁷ ; Adibi P⁶
Source: Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal Published:2021

Abstract

Background: Psychological-related disorders such as obesity are a key contributor to morbidity and mortality. Aims: To assess the association between general and abdominal obesity with depression and anxiety among Iranian health-care staff. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted under the framework of the Study on the Epidemiology of Psychological Alimentary Health and Nutrition. A total of 4361 Iranian health-care staff were analysed for general obesity and 3213 for central obesity. Overweight and obesity was defined as body mass index 25.0–29.9 and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2, respectively. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88 cm for females and ≥ 102 cm for males. The Iranian val-idated versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire were used to assess depression and anxiety. Results: Stratified analysis by sex revealed no significant relationship between general obesity, depression and anxiety among males. However, we found an inverse association between abdominal obesity (WC > 102 cm) and severe depression among males. In females, abdominal obesity was significantly associated with anxiety, before and after taking confound-ers into account. No significant association was seen between abdominal obesity and psychological distress in either sex after controlling for potential confounders. Conclusions: Abdominal obesity was associated with anxiety in Iranian adult females but not in males. Further studies, particularly prospective research, are required to confirm these findings. © World Health Organization (WHO) 2021.