Influence of gender on the relationship between body mass index

and mental health status

Rachel Rudolph, Molly Dirrim, Sarah Tinkle, Dina Choucair, Brandon Kistler
Department of Nutrition and Health Science, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

ABSTRACT RESULTS IMPLICATIONS

Objective: BMI is associated with mental health status in adults, but this • Healthcare professionals (i.e. nurses, dietitians, medical doctors)
relationship may be modified by differences in perception among genders. should be aware that weight can negatively impact mental health
We examined the association between BMI and mental health stats in by increasing bad mental health days
Indiana and US while controlling for gender. • Low BMI and high BMI fall into this category
• Healthcare professionals should offer support/resources when
Methods: CDC’s WEAT was used to compare BMI and frequent bad mental a.) Males reporting appropriate and be able to send referrals for interprofessional
health days among adults in Indiana and the US included in the 2016 poor mental health services if available
BRFSS database. χ2 analyses (α<0.05) were conducted using unadjusted days in Indiana and US • Interprofessional services should utilize multiple disciplines
and adjusted (gender) models within Crosstabs. • e.g. therapists, psychiatrists, registered dietitians,
physicians/primary care providers etc.
Results: Among 172 adults in Indiana, there was a significant relationship
between BMI and frequent bad mental health days (χ2=21.96,
p=<0.0001). This relationship remained across both females and males in
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
Indiana. Similarly, there was a significant relationship between BMI and • Strengths
poor mental health (χ2=392.84, p=<0.0001) in the US (n=7,341). The • Data from the CDC and BRFSS is a representative sample of the US
relationship between BMI and poor mental health remained significant for • Large sample of adults
both males and females (females x=282.19, males x=121.88, p= <0.0001).
b.) Females reporting • Limitations
poor mental health • The cross sectional design of our study can’t control for all
Implications: Healthcare professionals should be aware that weight can
days in Indiana and US potential confounders (e.g. age and race) because of limitations
negatively impact mental health of both males and females. Patients may with crosstabs
benefit from interprofessional services, including mental health • The cross sectional design of our study doesn’t allow for us to
professionals, when trying to change weight. determine causality
• We were unable to determine more complex interactions between
the data
AIM
Our objective is to answer the question “Is there an association between REFERENCES
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Total 21.96 0.0001 257-266. doi:10.1038/ijo.2008.268
Total 392.84 <0.0001