Associations between obesogenic risk and depressive symptomatology in Australian adolescents: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Depression and obesity are significant health concerns currently facing adolescents worldwide. This paper investigates the associations between obesity and related risk behaviours and depressive symptomatology in an Australian adolescent population.


METHODS
Data from the Australian Capital Territory It's Your Move project, an Australian community-based intervention project were used. In 2012, 800 students (440 females, 360 males) aged 11-14 years (M=13.11 years, SD=0.62 years), from 6 secondary schools were weighed and measured and completed a questionnaire which included physical activity, sedentary behaviour and dietary intake. Weight status was defined by WHO criteria. A cut-off score ≥10 on the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire indicated symptomatic depression. Logistic regression was used to test associations.


RESULTS
After controlling for potential confounders, results showed significantly higher odds of depressive symptomatology in males (OR=1.22, p<0.05) and females (OR=1.12, p<0.05) who exceeded guidelines for daily screen-time leisure sedentary activities. Higher odds of depressive symptoms were seen in females who consumed greater amounts of sweet drink (OR=1.18, p<0.05), compared to lower female consumers of sweet drinks, and males who were overweight/obese also had greater odds of depressive symptoms (OR=1.83, p<0.05) compared to male normal weight adolescents.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the associations between obesogenic risks and depression in adolescents. Further research should explore the direction of these associations and identify common determinants of obesity and depression. Mental health outcomes need to be included in the rationale and evaluation for diet and activity interventions.
Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Hoare
Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Faculty of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Population Nutrition and Global Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Health Directorate, Australia Capital Territory Government, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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Millar
Faculty of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Fuller-Tyszkiewicz
Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Skouteris
Faculty of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Nichols
Faculty of Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Jacka
Faculty of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia Population Nutrition and Global Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Swinburn
Health Directorate, Australia Capital Territory Government, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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Chikwendu
Faculty of Health, WHO Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, Population Health Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
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Allender
D000293:Adolescent; D020958:Australian Capital Territory; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
ADOLESCENTS CG; DEPRESSION; DIET; OBESITY; PHYSICAL ACTIVITY