LAUSR

This study investigates whether the association between obesity and depression is mediated by the perception of body weight and verifies the combined effect of being obese and having a self-perception of being fat on depression in a population-based sample of 1238 individuals. Weight perception mediated the association between depression and obesity in 39.3 percent of participants. In stratified analysis, mediation occurred in the following groups: non-single, those with more schooling, non-alcohol abusers, non-smokers, and those who did not engage in physical activity. Being obese and having a self-perception of being fat produced a potentiating effect, significantly increasing the likelihood of depression.