Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study
Objective This study evaluated the relationship between treatment for depression and anxiety in pregnancy and the risk of obesity.Design Multivariate logistic regression analysis, nested case control study design.Setting Births occurring 2008–2022 at an outer-suburban, lower socioeconomic maternity...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2460636 |
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| author | Carolyn Breadon Shalini Arunogiri Alisa Turbic Alex Lavale Ricardo Maldonado Jayashri Kulkarni |
| author_facet | Carolyn Breadon Shalini Arunogiri Alisa Turbic Alex Lavale Ricardo Maldonado Jayashri Kulkarni |
| author_sort | Carolyn Breadon |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective This study evaluated the relationship between treatment for depression and anxiety in pregnancy and the risk of obesity.Design Multivariate logistic regression analysis, nested case control study design.Setting Births occurring 2008–2022 at an outer-suburban, lower socioeconomic maternity hospital in Australia. Population: 75,308 eligible births. Main outcome measures: BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), BMI ≥ 35 (severe obesity/obesity class II and III).Results In this analysis, we found an adjusted OR of 1.56 of BMI ≥ 30, p < .000 with CI (1.35–1.80) in women taking antidepressants in pregnancy, OR 1.56 of BMI ≥ 35, p < .000, CI (1.31–1.84). Within this dataset, a cohort of 7559 women with a history or current diagnosis of depression or anxiety were found; adjusted OR of 1.40 of BMI ≥ 30, p < .000, CI (1.22–1.60) in women within this group taking antidepressants. Rates of severe obesity were similar in this cohort, BMI ≥ 35; OR 1.39, p < .000; CI 1.18–1.62).Conclusions These results suggest an increase in rates of obesity in women taking antidepressants in pregnancy not accounted for by other risks for obesity which might accrue from current mental ill-health or other cohort effects such as genetic vulnerability or lifestyle factors. This outcome is important in relation to the care of pregnant women with depression and anxiety. In view of current high rates of prescribing of antidepressants in pregnancy and the postpartum, this research may help inform clinician decision-making for women at risk of obesity in pregnancy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-98e409320e9f4a449fb6737f2e4bf1cc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0167-482X 1743-8942 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology |
| spelling | doaj-art-98e409320e9f4a449fb6737f2e4bf1cc2025-08-20T02:38:21ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology0167-482X1743-89422025-12-0146110.1080/0167482X.2025.2460636Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort studyCarolyn Breadon0Shalini Arunogiri1Alisa Turbic2Alex Lavale3Ricardo Maldonado4Jayashri Kulkarni5Consultation Liaison Psychiatry Service, Austin Hospital Melbourne, Heidelberg, AustraliaMonash Addiction Research Centre, Eastern Health Clinical School, Melbourne, AustraliaDepartment of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, AustraliaMonash University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Melbourne, AustraliaPower Stats, West Ryde, AustraliaHER Centre Australia, Monash University, Melbourne, AustraliaObjective This study evaluated the relationship between treatment for depression and anxiety in pregnancy and the risk of obesity.Design Multivariate logistic regression analysis, nested case control study design.Setting Births occurring 2008–2022 at an outer-suburban, lower socioeconomic maternity hospital in Australia. Population: 75,308 eligible births. Main outcome measures: BMI ≥ 30 (obesity), BMI ≥ 35 (severe obesity/obesity class II and III).Results In this analysis, we found an adjusted OR of 1.56 of BMI ≥ 30, p < .000 with CI (1.35–1.80) in women taking antidepressants in pregnancy, OR 1.56 of BMI ≥ 35, p < .000, CI (1.31–1.84). Within this dataset, a cohort of 7559 women with a history or current diagnosis of depression or anxiety were found; adjusted OR of 1.40 of BMI ≥ 30, p < .000, CI (1.22–1.60) in women within this group taking antidepressants. Rates of severe obesity were similar in this cohort, BMI ≥ 35; OR 1.39, p < .000; CI 1.18–1.62).Conclusions These results suggest an increase in rates of obesity in women taking antidepressants in pregnancy not accounted for by other risks for obesity which might accrue from current mental ill-health or other cohort effects such as genetic vulnerability or lifestyle factors. This outcome is important in relation to the care of pregnant women with depression and anxiety. In view of current high rates of prescribing of antidepressants in pregnancy and the postpartum, this research may help inform clinician decision-making for women at risk of obesity in pregnancy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2460636Obesitypregnancydepressionanxietyantidepressant |
| spellingShingle | Carolyn Breadon Shalini Arunogiri Alisa Turbic Alex Lavale Ricardo Maldonado Jayashri Kulkarni Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology Obesity pregnancy depression anxiety antidepressant |
| title | Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_full | Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_fullStr | Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_short | Association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women: a retrospective cohort study |
| title_sort | association of antidepressant use with obesity risk in pregnant women a retrospective cohort study |
| topic | Obesity pregnancy depression anxiety antidepressant |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2460636 |
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