Obesity and Sedentary Lifestyle as Predictors of Anxiety and Depression [paper]

Date

2019-05

Authors

Boykin, Caitlin
Seidel, Sandra
Webre, Ginger

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Abstract

There is a high prevalence of psychological distress and obesity with subsequent chronic disease in the United States. The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among obesity, physical activity, and health status and to determine predictors of psychological distress among adults in a community setting. A cross-sectional study using a web-based survey was conducted among 226 adults aged 18 years or older. The questionnaire was a self-report tool utilizing the four items from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 14-items Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, International Physical Activity Questionnaire- SF, and demographic data. Descriptive statistics, Kendall’s Tau test, and multivariate logistic regression procedures were performed. Two-thirds of participants were either overweight or obese, and one-fifth reported poor or fair health status. Positive predictors of anxiety and depression were sedentary lifestyle or sitting more than 360 minutes per day (OR=2.21 vs OR=2.11, respectively), obesity (OR=1.96 vs OR=2.50) and Caucasian ethnicity (OR=3.41 vs OR=3.99). The odds of anxiety and depression were nearly double for those who are sedentary or obese. Providers could encourage maintaining a healthy weight and sitting less than six hours per day. Periodic screening for psychological distress may be beneficial.

Description

A capstone project submitted to the St. David's School of Nursing at Texas State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nursing, May 2019.

Keywords

obesity, body mass index, health status, depression, physical activity, anxiety, Nursing

Citation

Boykin, C., Seidel, S., & Webre, G. (2019). Obesity and sedentary lifestyle as predictors of anxiety and depression. St. David's School of Nursing, Texas State University.

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