Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults

Abstract Background Both obesity and depression pose significant public health challenges. Understanding the age-gender differences in the BMI-depression associations is crucial, especially in the Saudi context, where cultural norms, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic conditions may significantly...

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Main Authors: Mohamed O. Nour, Khulud K. Alharbi, Tamara Abdulrahman Hafiz, Hatim A. Natto, Ali Mohsen Alshehri, Tassnym H. Sinky, Baraa Sami Quronfulah, Muath Ahmed G. Aldomini, Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi, Abdullah Ahmed Alghamdi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2024-10-01
Series:Discover Psychology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00278-4
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author Mohamed O. Nour
Khulud K. Alharbi
Tamara Abdulrahman Hafiz
Hatim A. Natto
Ali Mohsen Alshehri
Tassnym H. Sinky
Baraa Sami Quronfulah
Muath Ahmed G. Aldomini
Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi
Abdullah Ahmed Alghamdi
author_facet Mohamed O. Nour
Khulud K. Alharbi
Tamara Abdulrahman Hafiz
Hatim A. Natto
Ali Mohsen Alshehri
Tassnym H. Sinky
Baraa Sami Quronfulah
Muath Ahmed G. Aldomini
Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi
Abdullah Ahmed Alghamdi
author_sort Mohamed O. Nour
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Both obesity and depression pose significant public health challenges. Understanding the age-gender differences in the BMI-depression associations is crucial, especially in the Saudi context, where cultural norms, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic conditions may significantly influence these associations. We aimed to explore and elucidate these associations in Saudi adults, considering age and gender as crucial factors. Methods The research utilized a cross-sectional web-based survey to examine the impact of age and gender on the associations between BMI and depression. The study included 4,683 Saudi adults aged 18–60 years. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic illnesses, and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a self-reported scale, was used to evaluate depression, categorizing participants into depression and non-depression groups. A snowball convenience sampling was utilized, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria established to mitigate potential biases. Data analysis was stratified by age and gender, and binary logistic regression was utilized to determine the associations between depression and BMI, incorporating odds ratios (ORs) in both crude and adjusted forms, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 43.3%, while 21% of participants were classified as obese. Notably, individuals in the depression group were significantly older, predominantly female, and more likely to reside in the Western and Southern regions of Saudi Arabia. They had lower family income, were more frequently non-smokers, had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, and had higher BMI. Moreover, obese individuals had significantly higher depression scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, OR for depression was significantly higher among obese individuals (1.92 [1.56–3.36]). Stratified analysis by age and gender revealed higher ORs for depression among obese participants in older age and among women. Conclusion This study highlights a significant association between obesity and increased prevalence of depression, with notable age and gender differences in this association. The findings suggest that older adults and women, particularly those with obesity, are at a higher risk for depression. These insights emphasize the importance of tailoring public health strategies and mental health interventions to address the specific needs of these vulnerable groups in Saudi Arabia.
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spelling doaj-art-8781ad0a65954d5c8a10973a96df0f3e2025-08-20T02:35:40ZengSpringerDiscover Psychology2731-45372024-10-014111410.1007/s44202-024-00278-4Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adultsMohamed O. Nour0Khulud K. Alharbi1Tamara Abdulrahman Hafiz2Hatim A. Natto3Ali Mohsen Alshehri4Tassnym H. Sinky5Baraa Sami Quronfulah6Muath Ahmed G. Aldomini7Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi8Abdullah Ahmed Alghamdi9Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Damietta Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar UniversityDepartment of Health Administration and Hospitals, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Environmental and Occupational Health, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityDepartment of Health Promotion and Education, College of Public Health & Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura UniversityAbstract Background Both obesity and depression pose significant public health challenges. Understanding the age-gender differences in the BMI-depression associations is crucial, especially in the Saudi context, where cultural norms, lifestyle factors, and socio-economic conditions may significantly influence these associations. We aimed to explore and elucidate these associations in Saudi adults, considering age and gender as crucial factors. Methods The research utilized a cross-sectional web-based survey to examine the impact of age and gender on the associations between BMI and depression. The study included 4,683 Saudi adults aged 18–60 years. The questionnaire assessed socio-demographics, lifestyle factors, chronic illnesses, and self-reported height and weight to calculate BMI. Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a self-reported scale, was used to evaluate depression, categorizing participants into depression and non-depression groups. A snowball convenience sampling was utilized, with clear inclusion and exclusion criteria established to mitigate potential biases. Data analysis was stratified by age and gender, and binary logistic regression was utilized to determine the associations between depression and BMI, incorporating odds ratios (ORs) in both crude and adjusted forms, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The prevalence of depression was found to be 43.3%, while 21% of participants were classified as obese. Notably, individuals in the depression group were significantly older, predominantly female, and more likely to reside in the Western and Southern regions of Saudi Arabia. They had lower family income, were more frequently non-smokers, had a higher prevalence of chronic diseases, and had higher BMI. Moreover, obese individuals had significantly higher depression scores (p < 0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, OR for depression was significantly higher among obese individuals (1.92 [1.56–3.36]). Stratified analysis by age and gender revealed higher ORs for depression among obese participants in older age and among women. Conclusion This study highlights a significant association between obesity and increased prevalence of depression, with notable age and gender differences in this association. The findings suggest that older adults and women, particularly those with obesity, are at a higher risk for depression. These insights emphasize the importance of tailoring public health strategies and mental health interventions to address the specific needs of these vulnerable groups in Saudi Arabia.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00278-4AgeGenderAssociationBody mass indexObesityDepression
spellingShingle Mohamed O. Nour
Khulud K. Alharbi
Tamara Abdulrahman Hafiz
Hatim A. Natto
Ali Mohsen Alshehri
Tassnym H. Sinky
Baraa Sami Quronfulah
Muath Ahmed G. Aldomini
Mohammed Ahmed Alharbi
Abdullah Ahmed Alghamdi
Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
Discover Psychology
Age
Gender
Association
Body mass index
Obesity
Depression
title Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
title_full Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
title_fullStr Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
title_full_unstemmed Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
title_short Age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among Saudi adults
title_sort age and gender differences in the association between depression and body mass index among saudi adults
topic Age
Gender
Association
Body mass index
Obesity
Depression
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00278-4
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