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The European Journal of Public Health Advance Access published online on September 13, 2006
The European Journal of Public Health, doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckl227
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.
Received August 25, 2005
Accepted July 10, 2006

Article

Obesity and the risk for mental disorders in a representative German adult sample

Isabel Hach 1 *, Uwe E. Ruhl 2, Michael Klose 2, Jens Klotsche 2, Wilhelm Kirch 1, and Frank Jacobi 2

1 Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, Technical University of Dresden, Germany
2 Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Dresden, Germany

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Isabel Hach, E-mail: isabel.hach{at}med.uni-muenchen.de


  Abstract

Background: A systematic approach to examining associations among obesity and socio-demographic determinants, psychological problems, and mental disorders in epidemiological samples is missing.

Methods: Within the representative German Health Interview and Examination Survey and its Mental Health Supplement (GHS-MHS), 4181 subjects (age 18-65 years) took part in a physical examination (including measurement of body weight and height) and a standardized psychological interview (M-CIDI). Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2), somatic diseases, socio-economic variables, health-related quality of life (SF-36), and mental disorders (DSM-IV) were assessed. Data were analysed by logistic regression analyses.

Results: Prevalence of obesity was 18.5%. There was a strong association between obesity and somatic conditions, as well as to low socio-economic status (SES). No psychosocial disadvantages (e.g. regarding social relationships, impairment due to mental health problems, depressed feelings) for the obese individuals were found. With the exception of a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders in obese men (12.5 versus 8.5%, OR = 1.53, CI = 1.06-2.21, disappearing when controlled for number of somatic conditions), obese persons showed no elevated rates of mental disorders.

Discussion: Obesity is associated with a low SES and some somatic disadvantages but not with other social or emotional disadvantages that have been often assumed to be very prevalent in that group. From the population-based perspective, obesity per se seems not to be associated with a higher risk for suffering from mental disorders, whereas relations between specific aspects of obesity and specific types of psychopathology still need further study.

Keywords: mental disorders; obesity; psychosocial disadvantages.
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