Abdominal obesity is also associated with hormonal disruptions.
Scientists have determined that waist circumference may be a more significant indicator of depression risk than body mass index. This is reported by JAD.
The study analyzed data from the UK Biobank involving more than 200,000 adults (ages 40–69) without a depression diagnosis at the time of enrollment in the project. The observation lasted an average of nearly 13 years. Researchers focused on the Body Roundness Index (BRI), calculated based on the ratio of waist circumference to height. It allows for the assessment of visceral fat levels.
Participants were divided into four groups based on their BRI values. The analysis showed that individuals with the highest BRI scores had about a one-third higher risk of depression compared to those with the lowest index. The association remained after accounting for BMI, age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidities, and lifestyle. The effect was observed in both men and women, including in age groups younger and older than 60 years.
Scientists suggest that visceral fat produces inflammatory molecules that can affect the functioning of neurotransmitters in the brain. Additionally, abdominal obesity is associated with hormonal disruptions and impaired stress response—processes that are linked to depression. The authors emphasized that measurements of waist and height can help identify individuals at increased risk of depression.
