Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40211217›Full record

ArticleBMC psychiatry2025

Association among obesity, insulin resistance, and depressive symptoms: a mediation analysis.

Guoqiang Xiao, Chenghua Lin, Qiaoyu Lan, Zitong Huang, Chumeng Zhou, Jiajia Hu, Ying Cui, Lujie Wang, Borong Zhou

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC psychiatry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Guoqiang XiaoDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Chenghua LinDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Qiaoyu LanDepartment of Neurology, Liwan Central Hospital of Guangzhou, No. 63, Duobao Road, Liwan, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510150, China.
Zitong HuangDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Chumeng ZhouDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Jiajia HuDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Ying CuiDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Lujie WangDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Borong ZhouDepartment of Psychiatry and Psychology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetries and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China. zhoubr8@aliyun.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe mechanistic role of insulin resistance(IR) between obesity and Depressive Symptoms has long been debated.

objectiveThis study aims to explore the relationship between BMI and Depressive Symptoms to investigate the mediating role of IR in this association.

methodsWe rigorously selected data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2005 to 2018. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, Restricted cubic splines (RCS) and Subgroup analysis were employed to assess the correlation between obesity and Depressive Symptoms. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the role of IR in the relationship between Overweight/obesity and Depressive Symptoms.

resultsAfter strict exclusion, the final analysis included 12,744 participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between obesity and Depressive Symptoms. Subgroup analysis revealed an interaction from lack of exercise and vigorous activity levels to the association between obesity and Depressive Symptoms in the physical activity group (P for interaction < 0.05); A significant interaction was found between BMI and smoking status (P for interaction < 0.05). BMI was found to have an S-shaped association with Depressive Symptoms, becoming positively correlated after reaching a turning point (BMI > 23.22 kg/m², p < 0.001). IR partially mediated the potential impact of overweight/obesity on Depressive Symptoms (IR: 54.13%, p = 0.018).

conclusionOur study confirms a significant association between obesity and Depressive Symptoms. IR partially mediates the association between overweight/obesity and Depressive Symptoms. Furthermore, appropriate physical exercise and smoking may reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.

Indexed as

DepressionInsulin ResistanceObesityAdultBody Mass IndexExerciseFemaleHumansMaleMediation AnalysisMiddle AgedNutrition SurveysOverweightUnited StatesDepressive symptomsIRMediationNHANESObesity

Identifiers

PMID40211217
PMCPMC11987371

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.