title: Does body mass index moderate the association between posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms and suicidal ideation in Iraq/Afghanistan veterans?
abstract: Suicide, PTSD, and obesity co-occur at high rates among returning veterans, yet limited research exists regarding the relationship among these variables. Self-report and diagnostic interview data from a longitudinal study of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans (N=130) enrolled in VA healthcare examined these inter-relations. As hypothesized, body mass index (BMI) significantly moderated the association between PTSD and suicidal ideation such that the association between PTSD and suicidal ideation was strongest among individuals with a high BMI. Programs that focus on health promotion, trauma treatment, and weight management should continue to monitor suicide risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA. Electronic address: Julie.kittel@va.gov.
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kittel
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Bryann B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: DeBeer
authors.affiliation: Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; VA Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Nathan A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Kimbrel
authors.affiliation: Saint Louis University, College for Public Health and Social Justice, School of Social Work, St. Louis, MO, USA; VA Mental Health QUERI, Patient Safety Center of Inquiry on Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Service, Central Arkansas VA Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR, USA.
authors.forename: Monica M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Matthieu
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs, VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans, Waco, TX, USA; Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Eric C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.affiliation: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Warriors Research Institute, Baylor, Scott & White Health, Waco, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Suzy Bird
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Gulliver
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at San Antonio, Department of Psychology, San Antonio, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Sandra B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Morissette
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055826:Afghan Campaign 2001-; D000346:Afghanistan; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007493:Iraq; D054542:Iraq War, 2003-2011; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D057566:Self Report; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention