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Relationship between severity of obesity and mental health: An A ustralian community survey
Author(s) -
Knoesen Natalie P.,
Mancuso Serafino G.,
Thomas Samantha,
Komesaroff Paul,
Lewis Sophie,
Castle David J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
asia‐pacific psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.654
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1758-5872
pISSN - 1758-5864
DOI - 10.1111/j.1758-5872.2011.00164.x
Subject(s) - mental health , obesity , psychological intervention , gerontology , quality of life (healthcare) , anxiety , mediation , body mass index , public health , mood , psychology , medicine , clinical psychology , psychiatry , nursing , pathology , political science , law , psychotherapist
In A ustralia the incidence of obesity is increasing rapidly and has become a significant public health concern. In addition to the many physical consequences of obesity many studies have reported significant mental health consequences, including major depression, mood and anxiety disorders. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between severity of obesity and perceived mental health in an Australian community sample. Methods A cross‐sectional survey design was used. A total of 118 participants, aged between 19 and 75 years with a body mass index ( BMI ) ≥ 30 kg/m 2 returned a completed questionnaire. The SF ‐36 H ealth S urvey, K essler P sychological D istress S cale, S ocial I nteraction A nxiety S cale and the M ultidimensional S cale of P erceived S ocial S upport were used. Results After adjusting for age, gender, perceived social support and physical health quality of life, obesity was not significantly associated with mental health quality of life ( SF ‐36). The strongest factor influencing mental health was perceived physical health. Mediation analyses suggest that physical health mediates the relationship between obesity and mental health quality of life. Discussion Our findings support the view that physical health mediates the relationship between obesity and mental health. Public health interventions should focus on reducing the impact of obesity on physical health by encouraging participation in healthy lifestyles, which in turn, may improve mental wellbeing.