The Longitudinal Relationship Between Obesity and Depression in Children

Abstract

Much of the existing literature evaluating the bidirectional associations between obesity and depression has been conducted in an adult population. We highlight the existing evidence and potential mechanisms contributing to the reciprocal relationship in various developmental stages across childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, and propose new conceptual models of obesity and depression in children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between depression symptoms of children ages 2-11 (and their mothers) and weight status cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Ninety families (children ages 2-11, and their mothers) who completed measures of depression (PHQ-9, BASC-2) and had their height and weight measured at two time points (baseline and 3-month follow-up) were included in this study. Bivariate correlation and linear regression were used to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between child depression symptoms and child weight status. Bivariate correlations and odds ratio analyses were used to assess the longitudinal, bidirectional relationship between child depression symptoms and child weight status. We also used bivariate correlation to evaluate the longitudinal relationship between baseline maternal depression symptoms and child weight change. Results indicate that both cross-sectional and longitudinal, bidirectional relationships exist between depression symptoms and weight in children ages 2-11. Additionally, baseline maternal depression symptoms and baseline maternal weight status related to child depression symptoms and child weight status at 3 months, but only in boys. Baseline maternal and child depression increases odds of child overweight/obese weight status at 3 months, and baseline child overweight/obese weight status increases odds of “at risk” or “clinically significant” depression symptoms at 3 months. Findings suggest that a relationship between weight and mood exists both cross-sectionally, and longitudinally in children ages 2-11.