Association Between Antidepressants and Antianxiety Medications and Weight Gain in Korean Adults Aged 19-39 Years

Context: The number of young Koreans using antidepressants and antianxiety medications is increasing.

Objective: Studies evaluating the association between these medications and weight gain are limited. We investigated this association among Korean young adults.

Methods: We included 792,022 participants aged 19-39 years who underwent Korean National Health Insurance Service health examinations more than twice between 2009 and 2019. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between antidepressants and antianxiety medications and weight gain.

Results: The participants' average age and body mass index were 29.4±4.7 years and 23.0±3.6 kg/m2, respectively. The proportions of weight gain ≥10 kg/year were 1.7%; 2.4%; 2.9%; and 4.1% in individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications; only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications, respectively. Compared with individuals using neither antidepressants nor antianxiety medications, the rate ratios (95% confidence intervals) for weight gain ≥10 kg/year were higher in those using only antianxiety medications; only antidepressants; and both antidepressants and antianxiety medications; at 1.77 (1.69-1.85); 2.15 (2.05-2.0); and 3.04 (2.91-3.18), respectively.

Conclusions: Using antidepressants and antianxiety medications may contribute to an increased risk of weight gain among Korean young adults. The potential risk for weight gain should be considered when those medications are used and the prevention of weight gain is needed.