Findings strongest for individuals with overweight or obesity<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Jan. 17, 2024 (HealthDay News) —\u00a0Individuals with overweight or obesity are more vulnerable to short-term weight gain following individual increases in depressive symptoms, according to a study published online Jan. 10 in\u00a0PLOS ONE<\/em>.<\/p>\n Julia Mueller, Ph.D., from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, and colleagues assessed how small fluctuations in mental well-being within individuals predict bodyweight over short time periods. The analysis included 2,133 adults who completed monthly mental health and weight measurements using a mobile app during a period of six to nine months.<\/p>\n The researchers found that\u00a0within-individual variation in depressive symptoms predicted subsequent weight (0.045 kg per unit of depressive symptom severity). Baseline body mass index (BMI) had a moderation effect on the association between within-individual fluctuation in depressive symptoms and subsequent weight, with the association only apparent in those with overweight\/obesity (BMI <25 kg\/m2<\/sup>: 0.011 kg per unit of depressive symptom severity; BMI 25 to 29.9 kg\/m2<\/sup>: 0.052 kg per unit of depressive symptom severity; BMI \u00e2\u0089\u00a530 kg\/m2<\/sup>: 0.071 kg per unit of depressive symptom severity). There were no associations seen for stress and anxiety with weight.<\/p>\n “Our findings suggest weight management interventions may benefit by monitoring for small fluctuations in depressive symptoms and providing additional emotional support when needed,” the authors write.<\/p>\n Several authors disclosed ties to various institutions.<\/p>\n