Association Between Depression Levels and Body Weight and Dietary Habits in a Sample of the Saudi Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Reema Abdulrahman Saad Alyamani, Jawaher Ahmed Abdullah Alhussieni, Muruj Matuq Mansi Alghashmari, Raghad Muslim Salem Alkhozai, Renad Ayyad Owaid Alsulami, Shaima Zaki Mahmoud Sab, Reham Abdullah Ali Alamri, Areej Abdulhamid Hamdan Almuraee, El-Sayed Hamed Ali Bakr*, Alaa Hatim Hassan Qadhi , Walaa Essam Mohammed Alhassani , Sarah Omar Fathi Alkholy , Firas Sultan Ibrahim Azzeh , Awatif Musallam Salem Almehmadi and Ohaad Fahd Abdulaziz Awlya.

Department of Clinical Nutrition, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Corresponding Author E-mail:ehbakr@uqu.edu.sa

Background and Objective: Depression is a pervasive mental health concern that can negatively affect individuals' physical and emotional well-being. This study aimed to explore the link between depression levels and body weight, and to evaluate the impact of an individual's nutritional status. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study with a random sampling technique employed (n =710 people from the Saudi population). The data were collected via an online survey in November 2022. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire, including sociodemographic data, dietary habits, weight data, and some food items associated with stressful eating. Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) were applied to assess depression levels among participants (n = 710). Results: Data indicated that depression is widespread among the Saudi population, with varying degrees of severity. Moderate levels of depression represent 28.59% of Saudi society, while the Saudi population that suffered from severe depression levels reached 14.23% of our total sample population. Depression was positively and significantly correlated with eating behaviors and body mass index. Depression significantly increased with age. Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant correlation between depression, eating behavior, body mass index, and diet. The evidence supported a connection between higher body weight and depression. This suggests the need for interventions to reduce depression and obesity rates and promote a healthier society.

Anxiety; Body weight; Cortisol; Depression; Inflammation; Stress; Saudi population

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