Depression: The Impact of Caregiving and Body Mass Index (BMI) – 29 States, 2016–2019

Abstract

Objective: To examine the impact of caregiving status, and body mass index (BMI) on developing depression. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and analyzed Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data between 2016 and 2019. Data were used in bivariate analysis and logistic regression models to predict depression status controlling for BMI categories, caregiving status, sex, age, race/ethnicity, physical exercise, education, marital status, employment status, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, and chronic comorbidities. Results: 17% (N= 19,075) of the participants with valid responses (N=155,058) had a history of depression. The logistic regression revealed that caregivers have a significantly 25% greater odds of having depression compared to non-caregivers (AOR = 1.25, 95% CI = [1.03–1.51], P-value = 0.022). Individuals with obesity were 56% more likely to report depression compared to individuals with a normal BMI (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI = [1.27– 1.92], P-value = < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased BMI and caregiving can increase the risk of developing depression. These findings suggest that the impact of BMI and caregiving on developing depression is independent of other variables such as age, gender and chronic comorbidities. Exploring the longitudinal trend in this association is needed to identify mental health-promoting interventions to decrease mental distress, reinforce healthy behaviors and improve health-related quality of life.