Growing to Adulthood While Becoming Obese Increases Depression Risk

Studies examining obesity as a potential risk factor for depression among adolescent girls have been inconclusive. To explore this possible association in slightly older women, investigators analyzed national study data collected from 5243 young women at two points (at ages 13–18 and 19–25).

Overall, 78% were not depressed at either point, 4% were depressed at both time points, 7% developed new-onset depression between the two points, and 11% recovered from depression after the first time point. In analyses adjusting for race/ethnicity, family income, family education, self-reported health, and pregnancy histories, risk for new-onset depression was elevated in consistently obese young women (odds ratio, 1.97) and in those who became obese (n…