PSYCHIATRIC-SYMPTOMS IN ADOLESCENCE AS PREDICTORS OF OBESITY IN EARLYADULTHOOD - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

Objectives. This study examined the longitudinal relationship between psychopathology and obesity in young adulthood. Methods. More than 700 youth in a population-based sample were psychiatrically assessed in 1 983 (mean age = 14 years) and 1992 (mean age = 22 years). Self-reporte d body mass index (BMI) in 1992 was regressed on measures of depressio n and conduct disorder as well as a set of covariates including indice s of physical health, social class, intelligence, and cigarette and al cohol use. Associations were examined with BMI treated as a continuous variable and with a binary index of obesity derived from the BMI dist ribution in each gender. Results. BMI in young adults was positively r elated to a number of covariates. With all covariates controlled, BMI was inversely related to adult depressive symptoms in males but not fe males. BMI was positively related to adolescent symptoms of conduct di sorder in both sexes. Similar associations were found between psychiat ric symptoms and obesity. Conclusions. Conduct disorder symptoms in ad olescence predicted BMI and obesity in early adulthood. These associat ions remained after controlling for factors that can affect the associ ation between psychopathology and obesity.