Body mass index in young adulthood and suicidal behavior up to age 59 in a cohort of Swedish men.

ABSTRACT: An association of higher body mass index (BMI) with lower risk of attempted and completed suicide has been reported. In contrast, increasing BMI has been found to be associated with depression and other risk factors for suicidal behavior. We aimed to investigate this possible paradox in a cohort comprising 49 000 Swedish men. BMI, mental health, lifestyle and socioeconomic measures were recorded at conscription in 1969-70, at ages 18-20. Information on attempted suicide 1973-2008 and completed suicide 1971-2008 was obtained from national records. Hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by Cox proportional hazard models. We found that each standard deviation (SD) increase in BMI was associated with a 12% lower risk of later suicide attempt (HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.83-0.94). Associations were somewhat w

SUBMITTER: Sorberg A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4077734 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature