Associations between weight-control methods and depression among Korean adolescents: a study based on a national dataset
- Author:
Jaehyun KONG
1
;
Kyeongmin LEE
;
Sooji LEE
;
Soeun KIM
;
Jinyoung JEONG
;
Yejun SON
;
Hayeon LEE
;
Louis JACOB
;
Masoud RAHMATI
;
Guillaume FOND
;
Laurent BOYER
;
Lee SMITH
;
Elena DRAGIOTI
;
Selin WOO
;
Jiyoung HWANG
;
Dong Keon YON
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Research
- From:Nutrition Research and Practice 2024;18(6):818-828
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES:The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods.
SUBJECTS/METHODS:This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods.
RESULTS:Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression.
CONCLUSION:The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.
