Relationship between overweight/obesity and mental health disorders among Bangladeshi adolescents: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract The prevalence of both overweight/obesity and metal disorders in adolescents are increasing globally and both have negative impacts on health. The present study surveyed Bangladeshi adolescents to investigate their BMI (i.e., the prevalence of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese), the prevalence of mental health disorders (i.e., depression, and anxiety), and relationship between overweight/obesity and mental health disorders. This cross-sectional survey included a total of 622 adolescent students aged between 13 and 18 years of selected schools (secondary and higher secondary) in Dhaka City (in Bangladesh). The participants were asked to complete a survey questionnaire and their height and weight were measured. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Prevalence rates of being normal weight, underweight, overweight, and obese were 74.8%, 12.2%, 8.0%, and 5.0%, respectively. Prevalence rates of moderate to severe depression, and anxiety were 30.5%, and 16.4%, respectively. There was no significant association between overweight/obesity and depression (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 0.71–1.91, p = 0.560), and between overweight/obesity and anxiety (OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.65–2.17, p = 0.581) in adolescents. In Bangladeshi adolescents, excess weight did not have any impact on mental health. This finding might be due to Bangladeshi cultures viewing adolescent's overweight and obesity positively.