Do Anxiety Disorders Play a Role in Adolescent Obesity?

Abstract

Background: There have been few prospective studies on the association between anxiety disorders and adolescent obesity; none examine potential reciprocal effects. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the prospective association between anxiety disorders and obesity among adolescents. Methods: Using data from a two-wave, prospective study of 3134 adolescents, we examined reciprocal effects between body weight and DSM-IV anxiety disorders. Results: Weight status did not increase future risk of anxiety disorders nor did anxiety disorders at baseline increase risk of future obesity in the overall sample. Stratifying by gender revealed an increased risk of overweight and obesity in males with anxiety disorders, but not for females. Major depression did not mediate these associations. Conclusion: Similar to prospective studies of depression, it appears anxiety disorders may increase risk of obesity. However, more research is needed on the role of psychopathology in adolescent obesity, in particular anxiety disorders and possible moderators (such as gender) and mediators.