Body mass index and bullying victimization as antecedents for depressive symptoms in a Swedish youth cohort

Abstract Aim The bidirectional association between obesity and depression seen in adults is not clearly established adolescents. aim of this study was to investigate the longitudinal body mass index (BMI), depressive symptoms interactions bullying victimization BMI, taking gender differences into account. Subjects methods In a Swedish county, self-reported victimization, BMI from 1729 adolescents ( $$ \overline{y} y ¯ = 14.4, 56% females) were collected 2012 (wave 1), 2015 2) \overline{y}=17.3 = 17.3 ) 2018 3) 19.9). Longitudinal associations assessed using binary logistic regression models controlling for confounding factors. Interaction effects on also assessed. Results Wave 1 obese males had approximately six times increased odds ratio compared normal weight, wave 2 symptoms. W1 overweight associated with an 1.5 all participants 3 Victimization consistently higher future We found interaction different patterns depending sex. Conclusion Given present findings, needs be prevented, and, if it occurs, stopped at early stage prevent