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

Objectives 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 [greater than or equal to] 16), and 38 % (26 % of Brazilians, 49 % of Haitians, 42 % of Latinas) were obese (BMI [greater than or equal to] 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 [greater than or equal to]$30,000 per year and with lower BMI among Brazilians earning
Author(s): Stephanie Anzman-Frasca[sup.1] , Christina D. Economos[sup.2] , Alison Tovar[sup.3] , Rebecca Boulos[sup.4] , Sarah Sliwa[sup.5] , David M. Gute[sup.6] , Alex Pirie[sup.7] , Aviva Must[sup.8] Author Affiliations: (1) Department [...]