Obesity and anxiety symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Obesity and anxiety are the two most common health problems and increased body mass index can be lead to anxiety.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the frequency of anxiety symptoms in people who are obese/overweight.

For this purpose the authors systematically searched keywords in the databases PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Google scholar through August 2018. After a comprehensive review, 25 studies were included into the meta-analysis.

Results of the meta-analysis showed that the frequency of anxiety in obesity had a pooled odds ratio (OR) of 1.30 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.20–1.41 and in overweight had an OR of 1.10 and CI of 1.00–1.21. Comparison between obesity/overweight and normal weight showed high frequency of anxiety in obesity/overweight with respect to subgroups (sex, obesity and anxiety assessment, adjusted/unadjusted, anxiety duration and age). Evaluation of 25 studies included in the meta-analysis showed publication bias.

Overall, findings indicate anxiety occurs more frequently in obese/overweight people compared with normal weight people.