Association of whole-body and regional body fat mass indexes with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors in Korean adults: The moderating role of age

J Affect Disord. 2025 May 5:S0165-0327(25)00778-5. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2025.05.022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The coexistence of obesity and mental health problems has been widely reported; however, the moderating role of age in these associations has been scarcely examined. We explored age-specific variations in the association of fat mass indexes (FMIs) with depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors.

METHODS: This study included a nationwide sample of 4185 Korean adults. Whole-body and regional body fat mass were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Depressive symptoms were determined based on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and suicidal ideation and planning over the past year were evaluated. Logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between FMIs and mental health outcomes, and stratified analyses were conducted to assess age-specific variations in these associations.

RESULTS: In the younger age group (<45 years), a 1-standard deviation increase in the whole-body FMI was associated with 1.38 (95 % CI: 1.18-1.61) and 1.48 (95 % CI: 1.50-2.08) times higher odds of depressive symptoms and suicidal planning, respectively. Similar positive associations between FMIs and depressive symptoms and suicidal planning were observed for regional FMIs, including trunk, arm, and leg fat mass. However, no clear associations were observed among individuals aged ≥45 years between whole-body or regional FMIs and mental health problems.

LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design hinders causal interpretation.

CONCLUSION: This study observed significant age-specific variations in the relationship between FMIs and depressive symptoms and suicidal behaviors.

PMID:40334861 | DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2025.05.022