Effects of Childhood and Adulthood Obesity on Mental Health
Author Information
Author(s): Sweta Pathak, Tom G. Richardson, Eleanor Sanderson, Bjørn Olav Åsvold, Laxmi Bhatta, Ben M. Brumpton
Primary Institution: NTNU Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Hypothesis
Does childhood body size have a direct effect on later life mental health, or is it influenced by adulthood body size?
Conclusion
Higher body size in adulthood may increase the risk of anxiety and depression, while higher childhood body size does not appear to be a risk factor for these conditions.
Supporting Evidence
- Univariable MR showed no effect of childhood body size on anxiety and depression.
- Multivariable MR indicated that higher childhood body size reduced the risk of anxiety and depression when accounting for adulthood body size.
- Higher adulthood body size was associated with increased risk of anxiety and depression.
Takeaway
Being bigger as a child doesn't seem to make you sad or anxious later in life, but being bigger as an adult can.
Methodology
Two-sample Mendelian randomization was used to estimate the effects of childhood and adulthood body size on anxiety and depression.
Potential Biases
Potential confounding due to population stratification and dynastic effects.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported childhood body size, which may introduce recall bias, and the sample was predominantly of European ancestry, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily of European ancestry, with a mean age of 66.58 years for the anxiety GWAS.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI = −0.29, −0.08 for anxiety; 95% CI = 0.71, 0.97 for depression.
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website