Association of Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms and Adiposity Among Adolescent Females, Using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between anxiety and depressive symptoms and obesity among adolescent females using objective measures of adiposity and evaluate for moderating effects of race and age. This is a cross-sectional analysis of 198 females aged 11, 13, 15, and 17 years (mean = 14.6, standard deviation = 2.2). Adiposity measures include BMI, BMI Z score, percentage body fat from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and fat distribution (fat mass upper vs lower body regions from DXA). Symptoms of anxiety are measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and depressive symptoms with the Children’s Depression Inventory. Trait anxiety and depressive symptoms are positively associated with BMI and percentage body fat. No interaction of anxiety/ depressive symptoms with race or age on measures of adiposity was detected. Symptoms of anxiety and depression are associated with percentage body fat among adolescent females, linking psychological distress with a physiological measure of adiposity.