Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status.
OBJECTIVE
Although the long-term health risks associated with obesity in older adults have been well documented, less is known about the psychological consequences. The current study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and subsequent depressive symptoms. The authors anticipated that BMI would predict depressive symptoms, and that this relationship would be greater among women, individuals of higher socioeconomic status (SES), and white subjects.


METHODS
A three-year longitudinal epidemiological design was employed. Participants were obtained from a biracial sample of community-dwelling older adults (N = 2,406) and were interviewed in their home by trained interviewers. A comprehensive survey assessed age, gender, race, SES (education and income), and health functioning variables. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. BMI was derived from self-reported weight and height.


RESULTS
BMI was found to predict depressive symptoms. Contrary to predictions, the influence of BMI on depressive symptoms was greater for African Americans than whites and, in particular, African Americans with less education. There were no sex differences.


CONCLUSIONS
Among older adults, BMI was associated with depressive symptoms although the effect size was small. Factors contributing to this relationship may differ from those observed in younger populations, for example, health functioning may play a larger role. Obesity appears to have the most adverse impact on those who are most likely to be overweight, lower SES African Americans.
Sachs-Ericsson
Natalie
N
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. sachs @psy.fsu.edu
Burns
Andrea B
AB
Gordon
Kathryn H
KH
Eckel
Lisa A
LA
Wonderlich
Steven A
SA
Crosby
Ross D
RD
Blazer
Dan G
DG
D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001741:Black or African American