title: Obesity and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective was to examine the association between obesity and depressive symptoms among Chinese elderly in Hong Kong.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data on depressive symptoms and body mass index from 56 167 clients aged 65 or over who enrolled as members of Elderly Health Centres from July 1998 to December 2000 were analysed using multiple logistic regression with adjustment of potential confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 18 750 men and 37 417 women, the prevalence [95% confidence interval (CI)] of depressive symptoms (based on the Geriatric Depression Scale) was 4.9% (4.6-5.2%) and 7.9% (7.6-8.1%) respectively (p < 0.001). The prevalence of obesity (by World Health Organisation Asian standard: body mass index > or =25.0) in women was significantly higher than that of men (42.1% (41.6-42.7%) vs 36.6% (35.9-37.3%), p < 0.001). Obese men and women were about 20% less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms compared with those with normal weight after adjustment for confounders, with odds ratios (95% CI) of 0.82 (0.69-0.97) and 0.78 (0.71-0.86) respectively. Negative linear trends were observed between depressive symptoms and BMI categories in both sexes, and women showed a greater slope and stronger statistical significance than men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both obese elderly men and women in Hong Kong were less likely to suffer from depressive symptoms than those of normal weight. The results support the 'jolly fat' hypothesis previously restricted to men, and extend the hypothesis to female elderly. Chinese traditional culture and positive values towards obesity may be protective against depressive symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Zhi Bin
authors.initials: ZB
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sai Yin
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Wai Man
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kin Sang
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Mun Pik
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Gabriel M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Tai Hing
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lam
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors