Body mass index weight categories in adults who died by suicide: An observational study.
Adults
BMI
Suicide
Suicide method
Weight categories
Journal
Journal of affective disorders
ISSN: 1573-2517
Titre abrégé: J Affect Disord
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 7906073
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 10 2019
01 10 2019
Historique:
received:
01
01
2019
revised:
20
03
2019
accepted:
30
06
2019
pubmed:
17
7
2019
medline:
8
7
2020
entrez:
17
7
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and suicide death. This study aimed to characterize and compare suicide deaths by weight using BMI weight categories. We examined suicide deaths in adults in the city of Toronto (2009-2015); grouped them by BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) and compared groups based on demographics, clinical variables and method of suicide death. Suicide decedents' (n = 1429) mean age was 48.6 years (SD = 17.4) and mean BMI was 25.5 (SD = 5.4). Underweight decedents were more likely to be female and to have cancer while obese decedents were more likely to have diabetes. Underweight decedents were more likely to have an identified history of any medical condition. Obese and overweight decedents were significantly more likely to have an identified history of any psychiatric condition. Non-violent methods (e.g., self-poisoning) were used at a higher proportion by people with obesity and by people who were underweight. Psychological autopsies were not available and it was not possible to assess for change in or stability of BMI over time. These findings add to our understanding of the relationship between suicide and weight. A higher prevalence of females as well as those with a history of cancer and any medical condition in underweight decedents was noteworthy and of potential clinical significance.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and suicide death. This study aimed to characterize and compare suicide deaths by weight using BMI weight categories.
METHODS
We examined suicide deaths in adults in the city of Toronto (2009-2015); grouped them by BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese) and compared groups based on demographics, clinical variables and method of suicide death.
RESULTS
Suicide decedents' (n = 1429) mean age was 48.6 years (SD = 17.4) and mean BMI was 25.5 (SD = 5.4). Underweight decedents were more likely to be female and to have cancer while obese decedents were more likely to have diabetes. Underweight decedents were more likely to have an identified history of any medical condition. Obese and overweight decedents were significantly more likely to have an identified history of any psychiatric condition. Non-violent methods (e.g., self-poisoning) were used at a higher proportion by people with obesity and by people who were underweight.
LIMITATIONS
Psychological autopsies were not available and it was not possible to assess for change in or stability of BMI over time.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings add to our understanding of the relationship between suicide and weight. A higher prevalence of females as well as those with a history of cancer and any medical condition in underweight decedents was noteworthy and of potential clinical significance.
Identifiants
pubmed: 31310907
pii: S0165-0327(19)30004-7
doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.06.061
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
454-460Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.