Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Can Obesity Cause Depression? A Pseudo-panel Analysis

  • Ha, Hyungserk (Youth Independence and Competencies Research Office, National Youth Policy Institute) ;
  • Han, Chirok (Department of Economics, Korea University) ;
  • Kim, Beomsoo (Department of Economics, Korea University)
  • Received : 2017.04.26
  • Accepted : 2017.06.19
  • Published : 2017.07.31
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Abstract

Objectives: The US ranks ninth in obesity in the world, and approximately 7% of US adults experience major depressive disorder. Social isolation due to the stigma attached to obesity might trigger depression. Methods: This paper examined the impact of obesity on depression. To overcome the endogeneity problem, we constructed pseudopanel data using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System from 1997 to 2008. Results: The results were robust, and body mass index (BMI) was found to have a positive effect on depression days and the percentage of depressed individuals in the population. Conclusions: We attempted to overcome the endogeneity problem by using a pseudo-panel approach and found that increases in the BMI increased depression days (or being depressed) to a statistically significant extent, with a large effect size.

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