Association between obesity and depressive symptoms among U.S. Military active duty service personnel, 2002.
OBJECTIVE
The association between obesity and depression remains equivocal. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence and association of obesity and depressive symptoms among military personnel.


METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis was performed using data (N=10,040) from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Survey of Health-Related Behaviors. Prevalence odds ratios were calculated to describe the association between obesity and depressive symptoms.


RESULTS
Approximately 10% of active duty men and 4% of active duty women were obese. The prevalence of depressive symptoms ranged from approximately 16% of overweight men to 49% of obese women. Obese men and women and underweight men had increased odds of depressive symptoms as compared with normal-weight individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
The DoD should emphasize prevention and regular screening for obesity and depressive symptoms to improve readiness and reduce health care costs and disease burden in this cohort.
Kress
Amii M
AM
Center for Health Care Management Studies, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs), TRICARE Management Activity, Health Program Analysis and Evaluation, Falls Church, VA 22041-3206, United States. amii.kress@tma.osd.mil
Peterson
Michael R
MR
Hartzell
Michael C
MC
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology