Obesity and Mental Health: A Study on the Moderating Effects of Physical Activity and Socioeconomic Factors

Background: Obesity can lead to increased levels of anxiety and depression. Given the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, insight into the psychological and socioeconomic elements associated with obesity is crucial for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to investigate the association between obesity and anxiety and depression while examining the moderating effects of physical activity and socioeconomic factors. Methods: : In this cross-sectional study, 111 obese and overweight participants were included in Shariati Teaching Hospital. Weight and height measurements were used to calculate BMI. Anxiety and depression scores were measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score, and physical activity levels were determined using Metabolic Equivalent (MET) scores. Data on socioeconomic characteristics were collected via questionnaires. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling with SPSS and AMOS software. Results: : Among the participants, 81.98% were women, with a mean age of 40.65 years. A positive association was observed between anxiety and obesity (β = -0.201, p = 0.036). Physical activity was not significantly correlated with BMI (p = 0.827) and was not found to mediate the relationship between anxiety, depression, and obesity. However, substance use moderated the effect between chronic diseases and anxiety (β = 0.402, p ≤ 0.001). In contrast, socioeconomic disadvantage showed a protective moderation of the interaction between mental and physical health (β = -0.885, p = 0.021). Conclusion: This study explores the intricate relationship between obesity, mental health, and socio-economic factors. While anxiety showed a positive correlation with obesity, physical activity did not act as a mediating factor. However, substance use and socio-economic status played significant moderating roles, indicating that effective obesity management may require interventions that address both mental health and socio-economic challenges. Conventional measures of physical activity may not adequately account for the particular hazards and demands associated with these factors.