Connection between body mass index (BMI) and expression of symptoms in individuals with mental disorders

IntroductionResearch shows that the prevalence of obesity is greater in individuals with mental disorders than in general population. According to literature, obesity is correlated with intensity of symptoms and suicidality.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is a correlation between BMI and severity of symptoms, as well as suicidality and gender. The aim was also to determine whether there is a difference in the severity of symptoms and suicidality among individuals with different diagnoses.MethodsParticipants in this study were 37 men and 73 women with diagnosis of psychosis, personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, unipolar depression and anxiety disorder treated in Psychiatric hospital “Sveti Ivan”, Zagreb, Croatia. Sociodemographic data were collected and BMI was calculated. All participants fulfilled the DASS 21 (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale by Fernando Gomez) and Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale (Center for Suicide Risk Assessment).ResultsThere is no significant correlation between BMI and severity of symptoms, as well as between BMI and suicidality. But there are significant differences in the severity of stress (P = 0.005) and suicidality (P = 0.004) in individuals with different diagnoses.ConclusionsThe results identify that a significant part of individuals with mental disorders are either obese or overweight, but there were no significant differences in relation to suicide and intensity of symptoms depending on the BMI.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.