Assessment of relationship between body mass index and depression levels of patients attending family medicine policlinics in a university hospital

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between body mass index and psychiatric diseases has been the subject of numerous researches and continues to exist. When studies on this subject are examined, it is seen that there is a relation between obesity and depression especially. Our aim in this study is to investigate the relationship between body mass index and depression in adults. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic data and Beck Depression Scale were administered to 270 patients who applied to our family medicine outpatient clinics, were 18 years of age or older and did not have a previous psychiatric diagnosis. Body mass index was also calculated by taking measurements of height and weight of the patients. The relationship between Beck Depression Scale score and body mass index was investigated. Analysis of the obtained data was done using SPSS program. RESULTS: 270 patients who responded fully to the data collection tools were included in the study. The average age of participants was 38,89 ± 11,83 years. 63% of the patients (n = 170) were female and 37% (n = 100) were male. Correlations of participants' body mass index and Beck Depression Scale scores were investigated. There was no statistically significant correlation between body mass index and Beck Depression Scale scores (p=0,660; r=0,027). Body mass index in women was significantly lower than men (p=0,001). Beck Depression Scale scores in females were significantly higher than males (p=0,007). While the marital status did not significantly change the Beck Depression Scale scores (p=0,959), the body mass indexes of the married couples were significantly higher than the unmarried ones (p=0,016). While the working status did not significantly change the Beck Depression Scale scores (p=0,114), the body mass indexes of the non-working individuals were significantly higher than the working individuals (p=0,018). The presence of a medical illness in participants did not have a significant effect on body mass index (p=0,051) and Beck Depression Scale score (p=0,066). CONCLUSION: There was no significant relationship between body mass index and depression levels in our study. Our results should be supported by studies with larger sample groups that are not seeking treatment. KEYWORDS: Body mass index, Beck Depression Scale, Depression, Obesity