Association between anxiety and obesity [Asociación entre ansiedad y obesidad]

Obesity is the result of a combination of factors that change body mass and that are associated with anxiety psychopathology. Method: Crosssectional design, including 329 participants, between 25 and 40 years of age. Body Mass Index (BMI) and anxiety were assessed using the Hamilton Scale (1959). The association was carried out estimating odds ratio [OR]; 95% confidence interval [CI]). Results: Distribution of BMI was 131 obese, 109 overweight and 88 normal. Obese participants presented the following levels of anxiety: 35.1% mild (OR 0.82; CI 95% 0.35-1.93), 45.8% moderate (OR 3.32; CI 95% 1.28-8.71, p<.001) and 6.1% severe (OR 1.13; CI 95% 0.19-8.56). Conclusion: There is a curvilinear relationship between obesity and anxiety, with a higher risk when anxiety levels are moderate. © Copyright 2009: de los Editores de Ansiedad y Estrés