Weighing the Association Between BMI Change and Suicide Mortality.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Suicide rates continue to rise, necessitating the identification of risk factors. Obesity and suicide mortality rates have been examined, but associations among weight change, death by suicide, and depression among adults in the United States remain unclear.

Methods

Data from 387 people who died by suicide in 2000-2015 with a recorded body mass index (BMI) in the first and second 6 months preceding their death ("index date") were extracted from the Mental Health Research Network. Each person was matched with five people in a control group (comprising individuals who did not die by suicide) by age, sex, index year, and health care site (N=1,935).

Results

People who died by suicide were predominantly male (71%), White (69%), and middle aged (mean age=57 years)

SUBMITTER: Hecht LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8328861 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature