Korean J Fam Pract 2019; 9(5): 460-466  https://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2019.9.5.460
Association between Weight Control Methods and Depressive Symptoms among Korean Adults according to Age and Sex
Jung Ah Kim, Sang Wha Lee*, Hong Soo Lee, Kyung Won Shim, Se Eun Choi
Department of Family Medicine, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Sang Wha Lee
Tel: +82-2-2650-5165, Fax: +82-2-2654-2439
E-mail: ghwa@ewha.ac.kr
ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7451-9978
Received: June 12, 2019; Revised: July 30, 2019; Accepted: August 26, 2019; Published online: October 20, 2019.
© The Korean Academy of Family Medicine. All rights reserved.

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Background: Unhealthy weight control methods such as fasting and meal skipping can harm the mental health of individuals engaging in these methods. But this relationship has not been studied in Korean individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between weight control methods and depressive symptoms among Korean adults.
Methods: We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014, 2016, which included 10,447 adults. Patient Health Questionnaire was used for the assessment of depressive symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted according to age and sex.
Results: Attempting to follow a one-food diet was higher among depressed men. There was a significant association between depressive symptoms and weight control methods such as fasting and skipping meals among women. Among women >30 years and <50 years, depressive symptoms were related to a high likelihood of fasting, prescribed drugs for weight loss and one-food diet.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the correlation between the symptoms of depression and weight control methods varies depending on age and sex of the individuals. Our results could help formulate healthy weight management measures based on the on the depressive mood, age and sex of the individuals.
Keywords: Depression; Weight; Obesity; Mental Health
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