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.

Scientific Claim

The association between abdominal obesity indices and psychiatric morbidity does not differ significantly between men and women, despite differences in effect sizes, indicating that the biological link between central fat and mental health is broadly similar across sexes.

Original Statement

“There were no significant interactions between sex and these 10 obesity-related indices... Interaction p-values for all indices were >0.140.”

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 correctly uses interaction tests and reports non-significant p-values, avoiding overinterpretation of effect size differences as biological divergence.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (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 whether you're a man or a woman, having extra belly fat is linked to higher chances of depression or anxiety in about the same way — so the connection between belly fat and mental health works similarly for both sexes.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

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

Score: 48

DOI: 10.3390/nu18010013

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