Running Head: Obesity and Depressive Symptoms The Relationship between Obesity and Depressive Symptoms among Young Ghanaians

Abstract

Considerable research has been documented showing obesity to lead to poor mental health outcomes including a higher risk for depression. However, in Ghana, obesity is an issue that raises mixed interpretations and attitudes. Although the traditional model is favourable towards overweight figures, obese people are still subjected to considerable weight stigmatization. Such stigmatization and its consequent psychological effects may be even better felt in settings, such as the school, where individuals may feel a sense of evaluation. The study aimed to establish a relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms among adolescent and young adult Ghanaians. It also aimed to examine whether self-esteem, some personality dimensions, and cultural identity served to moderate the relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms. Additionally, the study hoped to examine whether body dissatisfaction, perceived discrimination, and dieting mediate the relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms. Two hundred (200) individuals comprising one hundred (100) students from senior high schools and one hundred (100) university students were used as participants for the study. The study took the form of a cross-sectional survey. Questionnaires eliciting information on depressive symptoms, self-esteem, cultural identity, personality dimensions, perceived discrimination as well as background information were filled by participants. The body mass indexes of participants were also calculated and participants were categorized according to the World Health Organizations criteria. The study results indicated obesity to predict depressive symptoms. Cultural identity and self-esteem also moderated the relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms among adolescents. The relationship between obesity and depressive symptoms was also found to be mediated by dieting.