Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 344-350, October 2009

Depression, Cortisol Reactivity, and Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence

  • Samantha Dockray, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence to: Samantha Dockray, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E, UK.
    • ,
  • Elizabeth J. Susman, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
    • ,
  • Lorah D. Dorn, Ph.D.

      Affiliations

    • Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio

Received 16 February 2009; accepted 9 June 2009. published online 03 August 2009.

Abstract 

Purpose

Depression in childhood is associated with higher body mass index (BMI), a relative measure of overweight, and overweight is associated with cortisol reactivity, indexed by heightened secretion of cortisol in response to a stressor. The current study uses a mediation model to examine the associations between symptoms of depression, cortisol reactivity and BMI in a cross-sectional study.

Methods

Children (N = 111) 8 to 13 years old and a parent completed structured interviews. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess symptoms of depression, and cortisol reactivity to the Trier Social Stress Test for Children was measured. Physical examinations were used to determine BMI (kg/m2) and pubertal stage.

Results

Depression was positively associated with BMI in both sexes. Age and pubertal stage were not significantly associated with BMI, nor was physical activity and BMI in a model including depression. In girls, but not in boys, the association between depression and BMI was mediated by cortisol reactivity.

Conclusions

The current findings attest to the significance of psychologic states as potential components in models of childhood obesity, and provide conceptual and empirical support for the inclusion of cortisol reactivity in these models.

Keywords: Depression, Cortisol, Stress, Obesity, Adolescence

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 30.00 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

PII: S1054-139X(09)00241-9

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.06.014

Journal of Adolescent Health
Volume 45, Issue 4 , Pages 344-350, October 2009

Article Tools