A new way to measure belly shape — called the conicity index — is the best single sign among all body measurements to predict depression or anxiety in middle-aged Taiwanese men, and still a strong sign in women.

Scientific Claim

The conicity index, a measure of abdominal shape and fat distribution, shows the strongest association with psychiatric morbidity in men (adjusted OR=10.60) and remains strongly associated in women (adjusted OR=2.42), suggesting it may be a superior anthropometric indicator of psychological risk compared to other obesity metrics.

Original Statement

“Conicity index (odds ratio [OR] = 23.215; 95% CI [9.998, 53.906])... In multivariate analysis... conicity index... OR=10.601 (95% CI [4.418, 25.437]) for men and OR=2.421 (95% CI [1.633, 3.589]) for women.”

From study:Abdominal Obesity Indices as Predictors of Psychiatric Morbidity in a Large-Scale Taiwanese Cohort

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The study reports adjusted ORs with confidence intervals and avoids causal language. The claim accurately reflects the data without overinterpreting clinical utility.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (0)

No supporting evidence found

Contradicting (1)

Abdominal Obesity Indices as Predictors of Psychiatric Morbidity in a Large-Scale Taiwanese Cohort

Cross-Sectional Study

Human

2025 Dec 19

The study found that several measures of belly fat, including conicity index, are linked to depression and anxiety, but it didn’t say conicity index is the best one or that it affects men way more than women — so the claim’s specific numbers and claims are not backed up.

Source Study

Abdominal Obesity Indices as Predictors of Psychiatric Morbidity in a Large-Scale Taiwanese Cohort

Score: 48

DOI: 10.3390/nu18010013

Similar Assertions

Even though belly fat seems to link more strongly to depression in men than women, the overall pattern is the same for both — meaning the connection isn’t unique to one sex.

85%

How fat is shaped and spread around the belly — not just how big it is — is linked to depression and anxiety, even after accounting for other health factors.

82%

In women, a marker of fat around internal organs is linked to depression or anxiety, but not in men — suggesting men and women may have different biological links between belly fat and mood.

80%

People with more fat around their waist and hips, compared to overall body weight, are more likely to have symptoms of depression or anxiety, especially in middle-aged Taiwanese adults.

76%

Even after accounting for age, smoking, exercise, and other health problems, belly fat still links to depression and anxiety — meaning the connection isn’t just because of other health issues.

74%