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A structural equation model relating adiposity, psychosocial indicators of body image and depressive symptoms among adolescents

International Journal of Obesity volume 33, pages 588–596 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Psychosocial factors, including pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction, have been hypothesized to mediate the relationship between obesity and depression, especially during adolescence when vulnerability to social pressures around body shape and image is heightened. The objective was to test a model of the relationships among adiposity, psychosocial factors and depression in adolescents.

Method:

In a population-based sample of 1127 boys and 1167 girls aged 13 and 16 years, a model of the relationships between adiposity, pressure to be thin, body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms was tested using structural equation modeling.

Results:

Among girls, adiposity accounted for 62% of the total effect of depressive symptoms through its association with pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction. Pressure to be thin was also uniquely related to depressive symptoms. Among boys, only body dissatisfaction was associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusion:

Results support a relationship between adiposity, body satisfaction, pressure to be thin and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms should be assessed in obese adolescents, and interventions to prevent and treat obesity should incorporate elements targeting body dissatisfaction.

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Acknowledgements

The Quebec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey survey was funded by the Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services and by Health Canada. The study of cardiovascular risk factors in youth was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Dr Jennifer O’Loughlin holds a Canada Research Chair in the Early Determinants of Adult Chronic Disease. Katerina Maximova holds a strategic training fellowship in Transdisciplinary Public and Population Health Research from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Quebec Population Health Research Network. She is also supported through an NCIC grant.

Catherine Sabiston and Michael Chaiton had full access to all the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    M Chaiton

  2. Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    C Sabiston

  3. Centre de Recherche du CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    J O'Loughlin

  4. Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    J J McGrath

  5. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    K Maximova

  6. Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine and University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

    M Lambert

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  1. M Chaiton
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  6. M Lambert
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Correspondence to M Chaiton.

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Chaiton, M., Sabiston, C., O'Loughlin, J. et al. A structural equation model relating adiposity, psychosocial indicators of body image and depressive symptoms among adolescents. Int J Obes 33, 588–596 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.43

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