Key result
Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of anxiety among Iranian adult female healthcare staff (adjusted OR 1.47).
Why the study?
Psychological-related disorders such as obesity are key contributors to morbidity and mortality, prompting assessment of the relationship between general and abdominal obesity and depression and anxiety in Iranian health-care staff.
Is general or abdominal obesity associated with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among Iranian health-care staff?
Cross-Sectional (n=4,361)
Yes
Is general or abdominal obesity associated with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress among Iranian health-care staff?
Odds Ratio: 1.47 (95% CI 1.01–2.14)
p-value: p=0.03
Abdominal obesity is independently associated with severe anxiety in Iranian adult females, highlighting a sex-specific psychological burden of central adiposity.
Suggests anxiety screening for women with abdominal obesity; leaves open causality and generalizability beyond this cross-sectional sample.
BACKGROUND: Psychological-related disorders such as obesity are a key contributor to morbidity and mortality. AIMS: To assess the association between general and abdominal obesity with depression and anxiety among Iranian health-care staff. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted under the framework of the Study on the Epidemiology of Psychological Alimentary Health and Nutrition. A total of 4361 Iranian health-care staff were analysed for general obesity and 3213 for central obesity. Overweight and obesity was defined as body mass index 25.0-29.9 and ≥ 30.0 kg/m², respectively. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist circumference (WC) ≥ 88 cm for females and ≥ 102 cm for males. The Iranian validated versions of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire were used to assess depression and anxiety. RESULTS: Stratified analysis by sex revealed no significant relationship between general obesity, depression and anxiety among males. However, we found an inverse association between abdominal obesity (WC > 102 cm) and severe depression among males. In females, abdominal obesity was significantly associated with anxiety, before and after taking confounders into account. No significant association was seen between abdominal obesity and psychological distress in either sex after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal obesity was associated with anxiety in Iranian adult females but not in males. Further studies, particularly prospective research, are required to confirm these findings.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Heidari‐Beni et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Depression, anxiety, and psychological distress (n=4,361). Abdominal obesity vs. Normal waist circumference was evaluated on Anxiety (borderline and severe) in women (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.14, p=0.03). Abdominal obesity was significantly associated with increased odds of anxiety among Iranian adult female healthcare staff (adjusted OR 1.47).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: