Citation

Smith TJ, White A, Hadden L, Young AJ, Marriott BP. Am. J. Health Behav. 2014; 38(4): 529-540.

Affiliation

Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, PNG Publications)

DOI

10.5993/AJHB.38.4.6

PMID

24636115

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if overweight or obesity is associated with mental health disorder (MHD) symptoms among military personnel Methods: Secondary analysis using the 2005 Department of Defense Health Related Behaviors Survey (N = 15,195). Standard Body Mass Index (BMI) categories were used to classify participants' body composition.

RESULTS: For women, obesity was associated with symptoms of serious psychological distress (SPD), post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. For men, obesity and overweight was associated with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder and SPD, respectively. Self-reported high personal stress was the strongest predictor of MHD symptoms and suicide attempts.

CONCLUSION: Self-reported stress was a stronger predictor of MHD symptoms than BMI. There is potential value in screening personnel for personal stress as a MHD risk factor.

Language: en