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Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sachs-Ericsson, N; Burns, AB; Gordon, KH; Eckel, LA; Wonderlich, SA; Crosby, RD; Blazer, DG
Published in: Am J Geriatr Psychiatry
September 2007

OBJECTIVE: Although the long-term health risks associated with obesity in older adults have been well documented, less is known about the psychological consequences. The current study examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and subsequent depressive symptoms. The authors anticipated that BMI would predict depressive symptoms, and that this relationship would be greater among women, individuals of higher socioeconomic status (SES), and white subjects. METHODS: A three-year longitudinal epidemiological design was employed. Participants were obtained from a biracial sample of community-dwelling older adults (N = 2,406) and were interviewed in their home by trained interviewers. A comprehensive survey assessed age, gender, race, SES (education and income), and health functioning variables. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. BMI was derived from self-reported weight and height. RESULTS: BMI was found to predict depressive symptoms. Contrary to predictions, the influence of BMI on depressive symptoms was greater for African Americans than whites and, in particular, African Americans with less education. There were no sex differences. CONCLUSION: Among older adults, BMI was associated with depressive symptoms although the effect size was small. Factors contributing to this relationship may differ from those observed in younger populations, for example, health functioning may play a larger role. Obesity appears to have the most adverse impact on those who are most likely to be overweight, lower SES African Americans.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1064-7481

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

15

Issue

9

Start / End Page

815 / 825

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Regression Analysis
  • Obesity
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Sachs-Ericsson, N., Burns, A. B., Gordon, K. H., Eckel, L. A., Wonderlich, S. A., Crosby, R. D., & Blazer, D. G. (2007). Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 15(9), 815–825. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180a725d6
Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie, Andrea B. Burns, Kathryn H. Gordon, Lisa A. Eckel, Steven A. Wonderlich, Ross D. Crosby, and Dan G. Blazer. “Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 15, no. 9 (September 2007): 815–25. https://doi.org/10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180a725d6.
Sachs-Ericsson N, Burns AB, Gordon KH, Eckel LA, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, et al. Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;15(9):815–25.
Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie, et al. “Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status.Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, vol. 15, no. 9, Sept. 2007, pp. 815–25. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/JGP.0b013e3180a725d6.
Sachs-Ericsson N, Burns AB, Gordon KH, Eckel LA, Wonderlich SA, Crosby RD, Blazer DG. Body mass index and depressive symptoms in older adults: the moderating roles of race, sex, and socioeconomic status. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2007 Sep;15(9):815–825.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Geriatr Psychiatry

DOI

ISSN

1064-7481

Publication Date

September 2007

Volume

15

Issue

9

Start / End Page

815 / 825

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Risk Factors
  • Regression Analysis
  • Obesity
  • North Carolina
  • Male
  • Longitudinal Studies