Recorded presentation

Sarah Mustillo, PhD¹, Carol Worthman, PhD², Alaattin Erkanli, PhD¹, Gordon Keeler, MS¹, Adrian Angold, MD³, and E. Jane Costello, PhD¹. (1) School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Duke University, Box 3454, Durham, NC 27710, 919 687-4686 x231, sarah.mustillo@duke.edu, (2) Department of Anthropology, Emory University, 207 Geosciences Building, Atlanta, GA 30322, (3) Center for Developmental Epidemiology, Duke University, 1111 Ave, Durham, NC 21201

Objectives: To compare the developmental association of obesity and depression between Native American and white children and adolescents. Methods. White (N=991) and Native American (N=350) children aged 9-18 years from the Great Smoky Mountains Study, a representative sample of rural youth, were evaluated annually over an nine-year period for height, weight, and depression. Longitudinal analyses on the repeated measures data were conducted using growth curve models and generalized estimating equation models. Results. Obesity was 8 times more common than expected among Native American youth and 3-4 times more common among whites using Centers for Disease Control 2000 criteria. Specifically, 45% of Native American youth met the criteria for obesity, as did 18% of whites. Rates of depression were similar in both groups (2.3%). Although Native American youth had significantly higher rates of obesity compared to white youth, a relationship between depression and obesity existed only among whites. This association appeared to decline with age. Conclusions: In a general population sample studied longitudinally, chronic obesity was associated with depression in white youth only. This finding suggests the association between obesity and depression may have psychosocial, as opposed to physiological, roots and that obesity may lead to depression, rather than depression leading to obesity.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of this session, participants will a) be able to articulate the differences in the scope of the childhood obesity problem between Native American and white youth populations and b) understand the racial/ethnic differences in the relationship between obesity and depression in youth.

Keywords: Child/Adolescent Mental Health, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation