A 9‐year, bidirectional prospective analysis of depressive symptoms and adiposity: The African American Health Study. (13th November 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawkins, Misty A.W.; Miller, Douglas K.; Stewart, Jesse C.
• Is Part Of: Obesity. Volume 23:Number 1(2015:Jan.)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 199
• Publication Date: 2014-11-13
• Subjects: Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.20893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1930-7381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="oby20893-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Depression may be a predictor and consequence of obesity. However, available evidence for racial minorities has been inconsistent, and more prospective studies are needed. Thus, this study's objective was to examine whether depressive symptom severity is a predictor and/or consequence of total adiposity over a 9‐year period in a representative sample of late middle‐aged African‐Americans.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20893-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A total of 410 participants (aged 49–65 years; baseline) in the prospective cohort African American Health study were examined. Depressive symptom severity was assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies‐Depression Scale (CES‐D). Total body fat percent (BF%) and body mass index (BMI; kg/m<sup>2</sup>) were assessed. Structural equation models were tested.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20893-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>All model fit statistics, other than <italic>χ</italic><sup>2</sup>, indicated good fit (RMSEA ≤ 0.058, SRMR ≤ 0.052, CFI ≥ 0.95). Baseline CES‐D did not predict 9‐year changes in BF% (<italic>β</italic> = −0.01, <italic>P</italic> = 0.78) or BMI (<italic>β</italic> = −0.01, <italic>P</italic> = 0.77). Baseline BF% (<italic>β</italic> = 0.05, <italic>P</italic> = 0.39) and BMI (<italic>β</italic> = 0.08, <italic>P</italic> = 0.095) did not predict 9‐year change in CES‐D.</p> </sec> <sec id="oby20893-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Depressive symptom severity was not a predictor or consequence of excess total adiposity in late middle‐aged African‐American adults. Including a depression module in obesity prevention and treatment programs specifically designed for late middle‐aged African‐Americans may not have a beneficial effect on obesity outcomes.</p> </sec> </abstract>