# Obesity, Depression, and Antidepressant Use: Analyzing Metabolic Side Effects in US Adults Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

## TL;DR

This study examines how antidepressant use affects metabolic health in US adults, finding some links to changes in cholesterol and blood glucose, especially in non-depressed women.

## Contribution

The study reveals gender- and depression-specific metabolic effects of antidepressants using a large, nationally representative sample.

## Key findings

- Antidepressant use was not significantly linked to obesity in the overall sample.
- Subgroup analyses showed higher total cholesterol and lower fasting glucose among antidepressant users, especially non-depressed females.
- Racial/ethnic disparities in metabolic outcomes were observed among antidepressant users.

## Abstract

Background: Antidepressant use is increasingly prevalent, raising concerns about its potential impact on metabolic health, particularly in individuals with depression. This study investigated the association between antidepressant use and metabolic outcomes in a nationally representative US adult population.

Methods: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed using a complete-case approach, resulting in a final weighted sample of 192,331,773 adults. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were applied to examine the relationship between antidepressant use and metabolic indicators, including BMI, fasting glucose, lipid profiles, and obesity. Analyses were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and depression severity (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 {PHQ-9}), with subgroup analyses conducted by depression status and gender. All analyses accounted for NHANES's complex sampling design using Stata version 18 (College Station, TX: StataCorp LLC).

Results: Antidepressant use was not significantly associated with obesity in the full sample. However, in subgroup analyses, antidepressant use was linked to adverse metabolic changes, including higher total cholesterol and lower fasting blood glucose levels, particularly among non-depressed individuals and females. Significant racial/ethnic disparities were also observed.

Conclusion: While antidepressant use was not independently associated with obesity, it was linked to specific metabolic alterations, with effects varying by gender and depression status. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring metabolic health in antidepressant users, especially in a diverse population.