BMI and psychological distress in 68, 000 Swedish adults : A weak association when controlling for an age-gender combination

• Background Study results concerning associations between body mass index (BMI) and psychological distress are conflicting. The purpose of this study was to describe the shape of the association between BMI and psychological distress in a large sample of Swedish adults. MethodsData was measured with the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12), in 68,311 adults aged 18–74. Self-reported data was derived from a merger of the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Life and Health (Liv och Hälsa) questionnaires focusing general health and living conditions. Logistic regression analysis was used to describe the association between BMI and psychological distress when controlled for age and gender in combination. Results Women reported an overall higher psychological distress than men. A significant pattern of decreasing psychological distress with increasing age emerged among women in all BMI categories. Trends of this same pattern showed for men. Small or no differences were seen in psychological distress between those in normal weight, overweight, and obesity I categories (among women: 20.4 %, 18.4 %, 20.5 %; among men: 12.8 %, 11.2 %, 12.9 %). For both genders, any notable increase in psychological distress appeared first in the obesity II category (among women: 27.2 %. Among men: 17.8 %). Conclusions Our results raise questions concerning cultural norms regarding body norms. Does aging increase norm resistance while youth increases norm sensitivity, especially among women? The finding that psychological distress indifference between normal weight and overweight also included the obesity I category should be a point of departure in a search for important cut-off points in the BMI/ psychological distress association. Results Women reported an overall higher psychological distress than men. A significant pattern of decreasing psychological distress with increasing age emerged among women in all BMI categories. Trends of this same pattern showed for men. Small or no differences were seen in psychological distress between those in normal weight, overweight, and obesity I categories. For both genders, any notable increase in psychological distress appeared first in the obesity II category. Conclusions Our results raise questions concerning cultural norms regarding body norms. Does aging increase norm resistance while youth increases norm sensitivity, especially among women? The finding that psychological distress indifference between normal weight and overweight also included the obesity I category should be a point of departure in a search for important cut-off points in the BMI/ psychological distress association.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

BMI

Psychological distress

GHQ-12

Gender

Age

Social Work

Socialt arbete

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)