Gender Differences in the Effects of Weight, Weight Perception, and Weight Satisfaction on Depression in Adolescents

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate gender differences in the association between depressive symptoms and weight, weight perception, and body satisfaction among Korean adolescents. METHODS: A secondary data analysis was performed on data from 33,374 adolescents who participated in the 2015 Adolescent Health Behavior Online Survey. They were classified as underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese; weight perception was classified into perception of being underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obese; and weight satisfaction into desire to gain weight, satisfied, and desire to lose weight. RESULTS: Among boys, perception of being underweight (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07~1.35) and desire to gain weight (AOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.30~1.62) were associated with depression. Among girls, perception of being overweight or obese (AOR 1.18, 95% CI 1.07~1.29) and a desire to lose weight (AOR 1.30, 95% CI 1.18~1.42) were associated with depression. CONCLUSION: Gender differences were observed in the association between weight perception and depression in adolescents. The perception of being underweight among boys and the perception of being overweight/overweight among girls were associated with depression. Thus, gender-specific intervention programs to correct weight perception and weight satisfaction are needed in order to relieve depressive symptoms in adolescents.