With rapid socio-economic development and substantial lifestyle changes, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has continued to increase, while mental health problems—particularly depression—have become increasingly prominent. Evidence suggests a significant bidirectional relationship between obesity and depression, forming a self-reinforcing cycle. Therefore, this study aims to review the current status of depression among obese children and adolescents, as well as its influencing factors and intervention strategies. The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of existing research and to offer a reference for improving prevention and management approaches for depression in this population.

Qi Xiaoyu, Li Li. Research Progress on Depression in Obese Children and Adolescents. Academic Journal of Medicine & Health Sciences (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 3: 7-13. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJMHS.2026.070302.

[1] Global, regional, and national prevalence of child and adolescent overweight and obesity, 1990-2021, with forecasts to 2050: a forecasting study for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 [J]. Lancet, 2025, 405(10481): 785-812.

[2] Report on the Nutritional Status and Chronic Diseases of the Chinese Population (2020) [J]. Acta Nutrimenta Sinica, 2020, 42(6): 521.

[3] RAO W W, ZHANG J W, ZONG Q Q, et al. Prevalence of depressive symptoms in overweight and obese children and adolescents in mainland China: A meta-analysis of comparative studies and epidemiological surveys [J]. J Affect Disord, 2019, 250: 26-34.

[4] WEI Chen-xi, WANG Yan-wei, BAI Qing-yun, et al. Research progress on influencing factors and health management of obesity in children and adolescents [J]. Chinese Journal of Health Education 2023, 39(04): 357-61.

[5] ZHU Zhiqiang, XU Qiaoling, SHAO Xueyun. Health benefits of physical activity for obese and overweight children: a systematic review of systematic reviews [J].School of Sports, Shenzhen University, 2025, 31(03): 296-305.

[6] NOCK M K, GREEN J G, HWANG I, et al. Prevalence, correlates, and treatment of lifetime suicidal behavior among adolescents: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement [J]. JAMA Psychiatry, 2013, 70(3): 300-10.

[7] PERVANIDOU P, BASTAKI D, CHOULIARAS G, et al. Circadian cortisol profiles, anxiety and depressive symptomatology, and body mass index in a clinical population of obese children [J]. Stress, 2013, 16(1): 34-43.

[8] MCLACHLAN C, SHELTON R, LI L. Obesity, inflammation, and depression in adolescents [J]. Front Psychiatry, 2023, 14: 1221709.

[9] CHRISTAKI E V, PERVANIDOU P, PAPASSOTIRIOU I, et al. Circulating FGF21 vs. Stress Markers in Girls during Childhood and Adolescence, and in Their Caregivers: Intriguing Inter-Relations between Overweight/Obesity, Emotions, Behavior, and the Cared-Caregiver Relationship [J]. Children (Basel), 2022, 9(6).

[10] HANNON T S, LI Z, TU W, et al. Depressive symptoms are associated with fasting insulin resistance in obese youth [J]. Pediatr Obes, 2014, 9(5): e103-7.

[11] ERCAN S N, SANLIER N. The Role of Adipokines and Gene Polymorphisms in the Development of Obesity- Induced Depression [J]. Curr Obes Rep, 2025, 14(1): 62.

[12] HALABITSKA I, PETAKH P, KAMYSHNA I, et al. The interplay of gut microbiota, obesity, and depression: insights and interventions [J]. Cell Mol Life Sci, 2024, 81(1): 443.

[13] WANG Mingyi, FENG Haojia. Association between obesity and negative emotions of fourth and fifth graders: The mediating effect of executive functions [J].China Journal of Health Psychology,2019, 27(09): 1415-8.

[14] MORADI M, MOZAFFARI H, ASKARI M, et al. Association between overweight/obesity with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and body dissatisfaction in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies [J]. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr, 2022, 62(2): 555-70.

[15] ÖZ B, KıVRAK A C. Evaluation of depression, anxiety symptoms, emotion regulation difficulties, and self-esteem in children and adolescents with obesity [J]. Arch Pediatr, 2023, 30(4): 226-31.

[16] APARICIO E, CANALS J, ARIJA V, et al. The role of emotion regulation in childhood obesity: implications for prevention and treatment [J]. Nutr Res Rev, 2016, 29(1): 17-29.

[17] CALCATERRA V, ROSSI V, MAGENES V C, et al. Dietary habits, depression and obesity: an intricate relationship to explore in pediatric preventive strategies [J]. Front Pediatr, 2024, 12: 1368283.

[18] GAO W, DENG Z, CAI X, et al. Clinical correlates and metabolic indicators of elevated fasting glucose in overweight/obese Chinese Han patients with first-episode and drug-naive major depressive disorder [J]. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 2023, 14: 1102670.

[19] YU H J, LI F, HU Y F, et al. Associations of physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake with well-being and depressive symptoms among obese schoolchildren in Wuhan, China: a cross-sectional study [J]. BMC Public Health, 2018, 18(1): 986.

[20] IANG Shan, ZHANG Xiaofei, KANG Kang et al. Prevalence and comorbidity of myopia, overweight,obesity, and depression among middle school students and their associated factors [J]. Chinese Preventive Medicine, 2025, 26(02): 223-8.

[21] CHAPUT J P, GRAY C E, POITRAS V J, et al. Systematic review of the relationships between sleep duration and health indicators in school-aged children and youth [J]. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, 2016, 41(6 Suppl 3): S266-82.

[22] GASKELL C, SARADA P, ALEEM E, et al. Identifying lifestyle factors associated to co-morbidity of obesity and psychiatric disorders, a pilot study [J]. Front Public Health, 2023, 11: 1132994.

[23] KANELLOPOULOU A, ANTONOGEORGOS G, DOUROS K, et al. The Association between Obesity and Depression among Children and the Role of Family: A Systematic Review [J]. Children (Basel), 2022, 9(8).

[24] JIN Y, LIU J, LI P, et al. Longitudinal associations between family conflict, intergenerational transmission, and adolescents' depressive symptoms: evidence from China Family Panel studies (2016-2020) [J]. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health, 2025, 19(1): 10.

[25] YACKOBOVITCH-GAVAN M, MESHY-TAMIR R, NAGELBERG N, et al. Psychosocial factors associated with depressive mood in Israeli obese adolescents [J]. J Health Psychol, 2014, 19(4): 574-84.

[26] RAO W W, ZONG Q Q, ZHANG J W, et al. Obesity increases the risk of depression in children and adolescents: Results from a systematic review and meta-analysis [J]. J Affect Disord, 2020, 267: 78-85.

[27]KANG Li, ZHANG Fu-yan, FAN Hui. Study on relationship of overweight/obesity and school bullying with depression in adolescents [J]. Modern Preventive Medicine, 2022, 49(14): 2574-8.

[28] TAS D, TüZüN Z, DüZçEKER Y, et al. The effects of parental and peer factors on psychiatric symptoms in adolescents with obesity [J]. Eat Weight Disord, 2020, 25(3): 617-25.

[29] PONT S J, PUHL R, COOK S R, et al. Stigma Experienced by Children and Adolescents With Obesity [J]. Pediatrics, 2017, 140(6).

[30] HOFMANN S G, ASNAANI A, VONK I J, et al. The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Review of Meta-analyses [J]. Cognit Ther Res, 2012, 36(5): 427-40.

[31] XIE X, MAO Y, SUN M, et al. Cognitive Behavioral Interventions for Children and Adolescents With Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Component Network Meta-Analysis [J]. Obes Rev, 2026: e70118.

[32] GULLEY L D, SHOMAKER L B, KELLY N R, et al. Indirect Effects of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention on Adolescent Weight and Insulin Resistance Through Decreasing Depression in a Randomized Controlled Trial [J]. J Pediatr Psychol, 2019, 44(10): 1163-73.

[33] RAMALHO S, SAINT-MAURICE P F, SILVA D, et al. APOLO-Teens, a web-based intervention for treatment-seeking adolescents with overweight or obesity: study protocol and baseline characterization of a Portuguese sample [J]. Eat Weight Disord, 2020, 25(2): 453-63.

[34] REANGSING C, PUNSUWUN S, SCHNEIDER J K. Effects of mindfulness interventions on depressive symptoms in adolescents: A meta-analysis [J]. Int J Nurs Stud, 2021, 115: 103848.

[35] DALAGER S L, ANNAMEIER S, BRUGGINK S M, et al. Mindfulness-based Group Intervention for an Adolescent Girl at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes: A Case Report [J]. Adv Mind Body Med, 2018, 32(4): 9-17.

[36] SEPúLVEDA A R, ROJO M, LACRUZ T, et al. Testing a family system-based intervention (ENTREN-F Programme) for a paediatric obesity sample by a randomized controlled trial [J]. Appetite, 2024, 203: 107696.

[37] VOURDOUMPA A, PALTOGLOU G, MANOU M, et al. Improvement in Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity Following the Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Personalized Lifestyle Intervention Program [J]. Nutrients, 2024, 16(21): 3710.

[38] NICZE M, BORóWKA M, DEC A, et al. Resistant and Refractory Obesity: The Complexity of Anti-Obesity Therapy Failure [J]. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026, 27(6): 2539.

[39] COCKERILL R G, BIGGS B K, OESTERLE T S, et al. Antidepressant use and body mass index change in overweight adolescents: a historical cohort study [J]. Innov Clin Neurosci, 2014, 11(11-12): 14-21.

[40] SRIVASTAVA G, FOX C K, KELLY A S, et al. Clinical Considerations Regarding the Use of Obesity Pharmacotherapy in Adolescents with Obesity [J]. Obesity (Silver Spring), 2019, 27(2): 190-204.