Good Healthy Advice

Obese middle-aged women are at risk of depression

Source: General Hospital Psychiatry

Researchers have found a strong and consistent association between depression and obesity among middle-aged women, which is independent of confounding factors such as age, race, marital status and level of education.

Obesity and its consequences are a major public health problem. Since the 1970s epidemiological studies have examined a possible association between obesity and depression with mixed results – some found a negative association, others a positive association limited to women, and some found there to be no association at all.

Simon and co-workers suggest that methodological differences may account for this variability. In their current research, they used data from a large sample of middle-aged women to assess the association between various levels of obesity with depression severity.

A total of 4641 women aged between 40 and 65 years completed a population-based survey. The survey was conducted via a structured telephone interview that included self-reported height, weight, ethnicity, marital status, tobacco use and educational background, as well as an assessment of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ).

Minister to launch new initiative to tackle depression in older people in NSW

Source: beyondblue

NSW Minister for Ageing The Hon. Kristina Keneally will launch a new initiative to combat depression among older people in NSW.

The beyond maturity blues peer education program which is being funded by beyondblue: the national depression initiative has been developed by beyondblue in partnership with Council on the Ageing. The New South Wales program will be conducted by COTA NSW and the NSW Senior Peer Education Centre and will provide information sessions for older people to increase their awareness of depression and where to go for help.

COTA Chief Executive Ian Yates said: "Depression is not a normal part of ageing. It is a health problem, not a weakness. We will address the issue by providing seniors with information that will reduce stigmatising attitudes and increase seniors' knowledge of where to receive appropriate help. Depression is a treatable illness - information and support is now available."