RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY WITH DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN REFERRING TO HEALTH CENTERS OF URMIA CITY

Obesity is one of the most important diseases with rising prevalence that causes
different kinds of physical and psychiatric health problems .The relationship between obesity and
depression is controversial. We designed this study to evaluate the possible relationship in women
referring to health centers of Urmia city.
Materials & Methods: In a descriptive study 637 women aged 16-65 years old referring to health centers
of Urmia city were enrolled and entered to the study. Body weight, height and body mass index (BMI)
of all participants were measured. Individual information were recorded in a questionnaire. Depressive
symptoms assessed by Beck depression inventory (BDI). The data were analyzed by independent sample
T-test, Chi-square, Log linear and ANOVA tests using SPSS version 16. The level of statistical
significance was settled as p<0.05.
Results: Among all study subjects depression score increased as in the same line with BMI (Pv =0.015
r=0.096). Also there was a positive correlation between age and depression (r=0.115, PV= 0.004). The
mean of depression score in overweight and obese women was significantly higher than normal weight
and lean women (PV =0.001).
Conclusion: Depression score increased with increased BMI in women. We suggest to future
researchers to conduct studies about the relationship between obesity and depression in women and also
possible involvement of factors such as job, self-satisfaction of the body appearance, sedentary life, and
also their familial and social status. Adequate training is also suggested to raise women awareness of
the complications of obesity and overweight