Double strain of severe obesity and depression on perception of increased diabetes burden among homebound older women.
BACKGROUND
Obesity, depression, and diabetes, all of which are increasing in prevalence among older women, represent a growing public health problem.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship of severe obesity and depressive symptomatology to perceived burden of diabetes.


METHODS
Baseline data of 266 homebound older women were used to cross-sectionally examine the relationship of depression and severe obesity with an individual's perception of the burden of diabetes on daily activities.


RESULTS
The coexistence of depression and severe obesity was independently associated with increased burden of diabetes while depression or severe obesity individually was not.


CONCLUSIONS
Older adults who are severely obese with depressive symptoms may be at particularly high risk for adverse outcomes, and represent a growing public health concern with diabetes management or complications.
Sharkey
Joseph R
JR
Texas Healthy Aging Research Network (TxHAN) Center, College Station, Texas 77843-1266, USA. jrsharkey@srph.tamhsc.edu
Ory
Marcia G
MG
Wang
Suojin
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D018577:Homebound Persons; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011634:Public Health