title: Racial/ethnic and gender differences in the association between depressive symptoms and higher body mass index.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study investigated the socio-demographic differences in the association between depressive symptoms and higher body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  In Genesee County, Michigan, random samples of households were drawn from all residential census tracts. The Speak to Your Health! Survey was administered among adults aged 18 years and older in these households. To conduct this cross-sectional study, data from three waves of survey data collection (2007, 2009 and 2011) were combined resulting in a sample of 3381 adults. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate BMI. Depressive symptoms were assessed with Brief Symptoms Inventory items. Socio-demographic factors included age, race/ethnicity, gender and education.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using stepwise linear regression, gender (β = 0.04, P = 0.02) and the interaction terms of race/ethnicity × depressive symptoms (β = 0.15, P < 0.001) and gender × depressive symptoms (β = 0.05, P = 0.01) uniquely predicted BMI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women had a higher BMI than men, and depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with BMI among African Americans and women than among non-Latino Whites and men. Tailored interventions to alleviate depressive symptoms in African Americans and females may help decrease racial/ethnic and gender differences in depressive symptoms and obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI 48502, USA International Institute, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Gergana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kodjebacheva
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kruger
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Resource Science, University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI 48502, USA.
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rybarczyk
authors.affiliation: Genesee County Health Department, Flint, MI 48502, USA.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cupal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adults; mental health; obesity