Key clinical point: Depressogenic excess eating and weight gain are common in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and linked with peripheral dopamine levels.
Major finding: The Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) criteria were met by 29% of patients with MDD vs. 3% of control group individuals. Patients with MDD who met the YFAS criteria showed a significantly higher weight ( P = .003), body mass index ( P = .001), and waist circumference ( P less than .001) than those with MDD not meeting YFAS criteria and control individuals. A positive correlation was observed between plasma dopamine levels and disordered eating behaviors in women.
Study details: The study evaluated patients with MDD (n = 80) and control individuals (n = 60) aged 18-63 years.
Disclosures: No study sponsor was identified. The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
Citation: Mills JG et al. Appetite. 2020 May 01. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2020.104586.