The association between depressive symptoms and overweight or obesity in prepubertal children: findings from the QUALITY cohort
Depressive symptoms and weight status in childhood
Article [Accepted Manuscript]
Is part of
Journal of affective disorders ; vol. 367, pp. 486-495.Publisher(s)
ElsevierAuthor(s)
Affiliation
Abstract(s)
Background: Youth obesity and depression are public health concerns. Although
metaanalyses
suggest a positive association between those conditions in adults and adolescents, evidence
remains unclear in prepubertal children. We examined the bidirectional associations
between levels of depressive symptoms and weight status in 8-10-year-old children with a
parental history of obesity, over two years, and whether they differ by sex. Methods: Data
were drawn from QUebec Adipose and Lifestyle InvesTigation in Youth Cohort Study’s
baseline and first follow-up evaluations (n=558). Depressive symptoms were assessed
using the 12-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale and weight status
using body mass index z-scores based on World Health Organization standards. Linear and
logistic regression models were used to test the directionality and magnitude of the
associations, adjusting for age, sex, physical activity, screen time, parental education,
alcohol and cigarette use, and baseline outcome measure. Results: Children with higher
levels of depressive symptoms at baseline were not more likely to have overweight/obesity
at follow-up (odds ratio [95% Coefficient Interval] = 0.95[0.88;1.02]). Baseline
overweight/obesity was not associated with subsequent higher levels of depressive
symptoms (beta coefficient [95% Coefficient Interval] = 0.20 [-0.47;0.87]). No sex
differences emerged. Limitations: Selection bias may have occurred due to loss at followup (10% attrition) and exclusion of 6 participants taking mood disorder medication.
Conclusions: Unlike in adults and adolescents, no association between weight status and
depressive symptoms was observed in childhood over two years. Underlying mechanisms
linking both conditions later in life may not apply as early as prepubertal childhood.