The effect of weight on mental health: New evidence using genetic IVs.

Average body mass index (BMI) and depression prevalence grew over the last several decades, increasing medical expenditures. There is a strong correlation between obesity and depression but limited evidence on the causal effect of weight on mental health. I use an index of genetic risk for high BMI as a source of exogenous variation in […]

The effect of perceived body weight on suicidal ideation among a representative sample of US adolescents.

Overweight perception appears to increase the risk for suicidal ideation in girls. It is important to address perceived body weight among girls in suicide prevention interventions. Contact us for a copy of this article, or view online at https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228114962_The_effect_of_perceived_body_weight_on_suicidal_ideation_among_a_representative_sample_of_US_adolescents?ev=publicSearchHeader&_sg=VlMBJUl7Inmi3P7sEFYPBUR-LsA2fI1K1MXn9mQnNFSkDmvjSGaT-zAWj82cRdCTF2LnLhbTjHagacw

Physical and psycho-social predictors of adolescents’ suicide behaviors.

The current study examined the relationship between suicidal behaviors and physical and psycho-social predictors including body image, weight control behaviors, and risky sexual behaviors among Asian, African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic adolescents. This study used the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The target populations were 11,134 adolescents (5,636 female and 5,498 male) in 9th-12th […]

Increasing Effect of Body Weight Perception on Suicidal Ideation Among Young Korean Women: Findings From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 and 2005

The prevalence of actual & perceived overweight was examined & the mediating effect of perceived overweight on the relationship between actual overweight & suicide ideation among young Korean women was compared. Data were gathered from the 2001 & 2005 Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Surveys. Over the 5-year period, & after controlling for covariates, […]

Sports participation as a protective factor against depression and suicide ideation in adolescents as mediated by self-esteem and social support

~

The Relationship Between Obesity and Elderly Suicide Rates: a Cross-National Study

An inverse relationship between obesity & suicide has been observed in younger adults but this has not examined in the elderly. A cross-national ecological study examined the independent relationship between the prevalence of obesity & elderly suicide rates, by controlling for potentially confounding variables, using data from the World Health Organization & the United Nations. […]

Suicidal Behavior in Adolescents: Relationship to Weight Status, Weight Control Behaviors, and Body Dissatisfaction

This study examined associations between suicidal behaviours & extreme & less extreme weight control behaviours, body dissatisfaction, & weight status in adolescents. Data were drawn from Project EAT, a survey of 4,746 Grade 7-12 students. Multivariate logistic regressions examined associations. Suicide ideation & suicide attempts were more commonly observed in adolescents with extreme weight control […]

Dangerous Intimate Partner Relationships and Women’s Mental Health and Health Behaviors

This study investigated the relationship between dangerousness in intimate partner relationships & victims’ mental health &/or health behaviour problems. Health records of 387 women in a domestic violence shelter were reviewed. Of these, 177 were eligible for this study. Higher dangerousness assessment scores were significantly associated with mental health symptoms & health behavaiours, including anxiety, […]

Clinical Characteristics of Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents With Major Depressive Disorder

The Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders & Schizophrenia (present version) was administered to parents (about their children) & in face-to-face interview with 916 children & adolescents with major depressive disorder. Depressed adolescents had significantly more hopelessness/helplessness, lack of energy/tiredness, hypersomnia, weight loss, & suicidality compared with children. Depressed female adolescnts had significantly more suicidality than […]

Mental Health Care in a High School Based Health Service

This paper describes the mental health services provided at a high school health centre in New York City. 5 years after the inception of the centre in 1988, mental health visits had quadrupled. In 1992, students made 1,002 mental health visits. One-third of these students reported problematic substance use among other family members. Other leading […]

The O Word: why the Focus on Obesity is Harmful to Community Health

The authors assert that focussing on issues of body weight alone negatively impacts community health overall. The mental health consequences of this focus are examined. The pervasive stigma obese individuals face is evidenced in research which has found an increased likelihood of depression, suicidal thoughts, & suicide attempts. (37 refs.)

Body Mass Index and Risk of Suicide Among Men

In a prospective cohort study of 46,755 men free of cancer enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, participants reported their height, weight, diet, & physical activity on repeated occasions from 1986 through February 2002. A total of 131 men died by suicide during follow-up. A higher body mass index was related to a graded […]

Prevalence and Correlates of Binge Eating Disorder in a Community Sample

This study describes the prevalence & correlates of binge eating disorder as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire in a survey of 910 randomly ascertained participants. 60 individuals screened positive for current binge eating disorder with men as likely to screen positive as women. These subjects were at substantially elevated odds for depression, generalized anxiety […]

The Relationship of Body Weight to Suicide Risk Among men and Women: Results From the US National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality File

This study examined the effects of body mass index on suicide risk among American men & women. Data was analyzed from the combined 1986-1994 National Health Interview Surveys linked to the 1986-2002 Multiple Cause of Death file. Survival analysis indicated that for each 5 kilograms/meter squared increase in body mass index, the risk of suicide […]

New Findings on Suicide Attempts, Substance Abuse, Obesity, and More

This report provides a brief overview of what the Stanley Foundation Bipolar Network has learned about the course & management of bipolar disorder. It brings together & summarizes the findings from studies published, in press, or under review. Findings related to suicide attempts are discussed, including the fact that a history of physical or sexual […]

Far From Ideal: Weight Perception, Weight Control, and Associated Risky Behaviour of Adolescent Girls in Nova Scotia

~

Children at Risk: the Association Between Perceived Weight Status and Suicidal Thoughts and Attempts in Middle School Youth

Background:  Suicide is one of the most common causes of death among young people. A report from the US Surgeon General called for strategies to prevent suicide, including increasing public awareness of suicide and risks factors, and enhancing research to understand risk and protective factors. Weight perception has been linked to depression and poor self-esteem […]

Associations of Body Mass Index and Perceived Weight With Suicide Ideation and Suicide Attempts Among US High School Students

The file copy of this document includes a correction published in the August 2005 issue of this journal.

Association of Body Mass Index With Suicide Mortality: a Prospective Cohort Study of More Than one Million men

~

2005 Montana Youth Risk Behavior Survey

Single and Multiple Suicide Attempts and Associated Health Risk Factors in New Hampshire Adolescents

Adolescents Engaging in Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors: are They at Risk for Other Health-Compromising Behaviors?

This study sought to determine whether adolescents engaging in weight control behaviours are at increased risk for tobacco, alcohol, & marijuana use; suicide ideation & attempts; & unprotected sexual activity. The findings suggest an overall pattern in which only those adolescents engaging in extreme weight control behaviours were at increased risk for other health-compromising behaviours. […]

Dating Violence Against Adolescent Girls and Associated Substance use, Unhealthy Weight Control, Sexual Risk Behavior, Pregnancy, and Suicidality

The authors assessed lifetime prevalence of physical & sexual violence from dating partners among adolescent girls & associations of these forms of violence with specific health risks, including suicidality. They found that physical & sexual dating violence against adolescent girls was extremely prevalent in their study population & was associated with increased risk of substance […]