Association of obesity with mood and anxiety disorders in the adult general population.

Obesity is a major health concern. It has been implicated as a risk factor for several physical illnesses, functional limitations and poor quality of life. However, while the physical consequences of obesity are well established, the relationship between obesity and mental health is still unclear. This study used data collected in the Canadian Community Health Survey, cycle 3.1 (2005) to examine this relationship in adults 20 to 64 years old. Obesity was significantly associated with mood disorders, but not with anxiety disorders. When adjusting for sex, place of birth, smoking, and functional limitations, all of which were significantly associated with obesity, the odds of obesity remained significantly higher in persons with mood disorders (with or without anxiety disorders). It is still unclear whether the relationship between obesity and depression is causal, and if so, whether obesity causes depression or depression causes obesity. Implications for health care providers and suggestions for future research are discussed.