The association between obesity and self-reported current depression among adult cancer survivors residing in Brazil

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the association between obesity and self-reported current depression (SRCD) in a population-based sample of adult Brazilian cancer survivors. Methods: The sample for this study (N=930) was based on the 2013 Brazilian National Health Survey. SRCD was assessed using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8). Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. Multivariable weighted logistic regression models were conducted to investigate the association between obesity and SRCD among Brazilian adult cancer survivors. Results: The weighted prevalence of obesity and SRCD among adult cancer survivors was 26.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 22.5 to 30.3%) and 13.7% (95% CI 10.4 to 17.1%), respectively. Overall there was no significant weighted and adjusted association between obesity and SRCD among cancer survivors (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.99 [95% CI 0.56 to 1.73]). Nevertheless, among cancer survivors of working age (18-59 y), this association was significant (AOR 2.19 [95% CI 1.28 to 3.73]) and therefore obesity is significantly associated with a 119% increase in the odds of SRCD among Brazilian adult cancer survivors of working age. Conclusions: Since both obesity and depression may lead to worse health and quality of life outcomes in this young and middle-aged population, further investigations are needed in order to establish the causality and directionality of this association.