Depressive Symptoms and Weight Status Among Women Recently Immigrating to the US

Abstract

Objective Depressive symptoms have been associated with obesity. Little is known about this relationship among immigrants. We examined relationships between depressive symptoms and weight status in immigrant women from three ethnic groups. Methods Participants were Brazilian, Haitian, and Latina women (n=345) enrolled in Live Well, a community-based, randomized intervention designed to prevent weight gain in recent immigrants. Study data are from baseline when participants completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Perceived Stress Scale, a physical activity questionnaire, and socio-demographic questions; BMI was calculated from measured height and weight. Results Forty-four percent of participants (36% of Brazilians, 66% of Haitians, 30% of Latinas) had high depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥16), and 38% (26% of Brazilians, 49% of Haitians, 42% of Latinas) were obese (BMI ≥30.0). Those reporting more depressive symptoms were more likely to be obese (Wald chi-square = 4.82, p<.05). An interaction between depressive symptoms, ethnic group, and income was revealed (F(4,340)=2.91, p<.05), such that higher depressive symptoms were associated with higher BMI among Brazilians earning ≥$30,000 per year and with lower BMI among Brazilians earning <$30,000. The relationship between depressive symptoms and obesity did not differ by income among Haitians or Latinas. Conclusions Depressive symptoms and obesity were highly prevalent among these recently-immigrated women. Positive relationships between these variables were consistent across ethnic and income groups, with the exception of lower-income Brazilians. While these findings suggest similar patterns and health needs across several groups of immigrants, cultural differences should be considered when addressing these health conditions.

Depressive Symptoms and Length of U.S. Residency Are Associated with Obesity among Low-Income Latina Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…Study findings are within the range reported by previous studies in this population [ 47 , 48 , 59 , 60 ]. Prior studies have reported obesity prevalence rates ranging from 17.9% to 44.4% [ 47 , 48 ] and prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms ranging from 11.1% to 32.4% when assessed using diverse instruments and cut-off points [ 21 , 42 , 43 , 61 ], as well as the same instrument and cut-off points used in this study [ 46 , 48 , 61 , 62 ].…”

“…Given that both maternal depression and obesity are modifiable factors associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes, this finding underscores the need for assessing and addressing maternal mental health in the pre- and post-natal periods [ 8 , 35 ]. Interventions designed to reduce depressive symptoms are likely to contribute to reduction in risk of obesity and vice-versa, interventions targeted at prevention and control of obesity are likely to contribute to a reduction in the symptoms of depression [ 40 , 46 ].…”

“…Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a non-diagnostic questionnaire, which is a valid and reliable screening tool for use in non-clinical samples [ 50 ]. The CES-D has been validated with multiethnic samples [ 51 , 52 ] and widely used with Latino populations [ 46 , 47 ]. Additionally, the CES-D has undergone reliability and validity testing among multiple ethnic groups, with Latinos in the U.S. and internationally reporting high Cronbach′s alphas (0.85–0.88) [ 53 , 54 ].…”

“…Given that both depression and obesity are prevalent among Latina women of childbearing age and have significant negative health outcomes for mothers and children, it is important to understand the relationship between depression and obesity so appropriate screening routines and interventions can be developed to lessen the negative health consequences for both mothers and children [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. Although research examining the associations between depression and obesity among women of childbearing age is increasing [ 10 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], there is still a dearth of studies on low-income Latina mothers [ 9 , 46 , 47 ]. Additional research is needed since results of currently available studies have not been consistent—some studies have documented significant associations between depression and obesity [ 9 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ] whereas others have found no significant associations [ 43 ].…”

“…Although research examining the associations between depression and obesity among women of childbearing age is increasing [ 10 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ], there is still a dearth of studies on low-income Latina mothers [ 9 , 46 , 47 ]. Additional research is needed since results of currently available studies have not been consistent—some studies have documented significant associations between depression and obesity [ 9 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 ] whereas others have found no significant associations [ 43 ]. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to expand on the existing literature by exploring the association between maternal depressive symptoms and risk of obesity among a sample of primarily immigrant, low-income Latina women of childbearing age, while taking into account the potential effects of acculturation, health literacy, and demographic characteristics.…”