Depressive symptoms and body mass index among adolescents: A moderated mediation model of parental psychological control and age

Objective: It is known that the presence of depressive symptoms can increase the risk of elevated body mass index. However, less is known about the underlying processes which may mediate or moderate this relationship. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating effect of parental psychological control and the moderating effect of age in regard to the relationship of depressive symptoms and body mass index. Method: This study was carried out with 618 high school students (53.7% female), ranging in age from 14 to 17-years-old. The participants were applied Socio-demographic Information Form, Children's Depression Inventory, Parental Psychological Control Scale as well as Body Mass Index. Results: It was found through mediation analysis that the relationship between depressive symptoms and BMI was mediated by parental psychological control. In addition, the predictive effect of depressive symptoms on body mass index and the mediating effect of parental psychological control were moderated by age. More specifically, the direct effect of depressive symptoms and the indirect effect of depressive symptoms over the body mass index through parental psychological control were observed in participants aged 14-years-old, but not in participants older than 14. Discussion: The aim of this study is to reveal the role of the psychological control of the parent and the age of the child, which is thought to be important in the relationship between depressive symptoms and body mass index. The findings support the importance of parenting programs that can positively affect both physical and mental health.