Perceived weight discrimination mediates the prospective relation between obesity and depressive symptoms in US and UK adults

Robinson, EL, Sutin, AR and Daly, M (2017) Perceived weight discrimination mediates the prospective relation between obesity and depressive symptoms in US and UK adults. Health Psychology, 36 (2). 112 - 121.

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Abstract

Objective: Obesity has been shown to increase risk of depression. Persons with obesity experience discrimination because of their body weight. Across 3 studies, we tested for the first time whether experiencing (perceived) weight-based discrimination explains why obesity is prospectively associated with increases in depressive symptoms. Method: Data from 3 studies, including the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (2008/2009–2012/2013), the Health and Retirement Study (2006/2008–2010/2012), and Midlife in the United States (1995/1996–2004/2005), were used to examine associations between obesity, perceived weight discrimination, and depressive symptoms among 20,286 U.S. and U.K. adults. Results: Across all 3 studies, Class II and III obesity were reliably associated with increases in depressive symptoms from baseline to follow-up. Perceived weight-based discrimination predicted increases in depressive symptoms over time and mediated the prospective association between obesity and depressive symptoms in all 3 studies. Persons with Class II and III obesity were more likely to report experiencing weight-based discrimination, and this explained approximately 31% of the obesity-related increase in depressive symptoms on average across the 3 studies. Conclusion: In U.S. and U.K. samples, the prospective association between obesity (defined using body mass index) and increases in depressive symptoms in adulthood may in part be explained by perceived weight discrimination.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Obesity, Depression, Obesity stigma, Discrimination, Weight stigma
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	18 Nov 2016 16:48
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 07:25
DOI:	10.1037/hea0000426
Open Access URL:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0000426
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3004610

Available Versions of this Item

• Perceived weight discrimination mediates the prospective relation between obesity and depressive symptoms in US and UK adults. (deposited 18 Nov 2016 16:48) [Currently Displayed]
  • Perceived weight discrimination mediates the prospective relation between obesity and depressive symptoms in US and UK adults. (deposited 01 Sep 2020 09:36)