Sex-specific associations between body composition and depression among U.S. adults: a cross-sectional study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression presents sexual dimorphism, and one important factor that increases the frequency of depression and contributes to sex-specific variations in its presentation is obesity. The conventional use of Body Mass Index (BMI) as an indicator of obesity is inherently limited due to its inability to distinguish between fat and lean mass, which limits its predictive utility for depression risk. Implementation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) investigated sex-specific associations between body composition (fat mass, appendicular lean mass) and depression.

Methods

Data from the NHANES cycles between 2011 and 2018 were analyzed, including 3,637 participants (1,788 males and 1,849 females). Four body composition profiles were identified in the subjects: low ad

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11742532 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature