The Association Between Changes in Body Mass Index and the Risk of Depression

Objective: In recent years, the risk of depression has increased among young people, and changes in body mass index (BMI) during childhood may be important factors in their development. However, the relationship between changes in BMI during childhood and the risk of depression needs further research and exploration.

Methods: The annual health examination data were collected from Physical Examination Center of Wuhan Mental Health Center Hospital, including 1226 students. The height and weight of students at the age of 11, 14, and 17 were recorded in sequence, and at 18 years old, these students were followed up according to the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) to evaluate the depression. The relationship between BMI trends and depression was analyzed through Logistic regression analysis.

Results: The growth trend of BMI was divided into normal growth, slow growth, and excessive growth. The odds ratio (OR) value for depression in the slow growth was 1.218 (95% CI, 0.995-1.493) compared to the normal growth, which was no significant difference (P = .056). The OR value for depression in the excessive growth was 1.982 (95% CI, 1.243-3.177) compared to the normal growth, which was significant difference (P = .003).

Conclusion: The rapid growth of BMI is correlated with the occurrence of depression in young individuals and may be a contributing factor to the development of depression in this demographic.

Cite this article as: Wang J, Zhang H. The association between changes in body mass index and the risk of depression. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25(4):480-484.