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Original Article
Online Published: 23 Dec 2025
 


Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia

Feras A. Alawad, Abdulaziz I. Aldossary, Husam M. Alghamdi, Sami K. Alghamdi, Fadhel N. Alibrahim, Mohammed M. Alsultan, Saleh M. Alsaiden.


Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the interactions between lifestyle, sociodemographic, psychiatric, and body-image variables in Saudi adults on antidepressants and body mass index (BMI).
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in psychiatric clinics in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Demographic and lifestyle data, depression and anxiety levels, and body shape satisfaction were assessed using a structured questionnaire and validated Arabic versions of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Body Shape Questionnaire-8.
Results: This analysis included 206 participants, predominantly <40 years old (72.0 %), 61.4% were female, and 54.6% were either married or divorced. The median BMI was 27.4 kg/m² (with an interquartile range of 8.2). Significantly higher BMIs were found in participants who were over 40 years, married or divorced, and in a higher income band. Exercise frequency was significantly associated with BMI (H(2) = 8.99, p-value = 0.011).
The assessment of psychometric variables found BMI to be positively correlated with BSQ-8 scores (r = 0.37, p< 0.001). However, it was not associated with scores on the PHQ-9 or GAD-7 scales (all p > 0.05).
Conclusion: It was found that inactivity, older age, and higher income were correlated with higher BMIs in Saudi patients taking antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Body-image dissatisfaction mediated an association between psychological distress and weight. This demonstrated the need for culturally tailored psychiatric interventions in Saudi Arabia that incorporate behavioral activation, nutrition counseling, and proactive weight monitoring.

Key words: Antidepressants, BMI, depressive disorders, exercise, Saudi Arabia.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Alawad FA, Aldossary AI, Alghamdi HM, Alghamdi SK, Alibrahim FN, Alsultan MM, Alsaiden SM. Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2025; 9(11): 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752

Web Style

Alawad FA, Aldossary AI, Alghamdi HM, Alghamdi SK, Alibrahim FN, Alsultan MM, Alsaiden SM. Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. https://www.ijmdc.com/?mno=295775 [Access: June 23, 2026]. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Alawad FA, Aldossary AI, Alghamdi HM, Alghamdi SK, Alibrahim FN, Alsultan MM, Alsaiden SM. Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. 2025; 9(11): 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Alawad FA, Aldossary AI, Alghamdi HM, Alghamdi SK, Alibrahim FN, Alsultan MM, Alsaiden SM. Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. IJMDC. (2025), [cited June 23, 2026]; 9(11): 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


Harvard Style

Alawad, F. A., Aldossary, . A. I., Alghamdi, . H. M., Alghamdi, . S. K., Alibrahim, . F. N., Alsultan, . M. M. & Alsaiden, . S. M. (2025) Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. IJMDC, 9 (11), 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


Turabian Style

Alawad, Feras A., Abdulaziz I. Aldossary, Husam M. Alghamdi, Sami K. Alghamdi, Fadhel N. Alibrahim, Mohammed M. Alsultan, and Saleh M. Alsaiden. 2025. Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (11), 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


Chicago Style

Alawad, Feras A., Abdulaziz I. Aldossary, Husam M. Alghamdi, Sami K. Alghamdi, Fadhel N. Alibrahim, Mohammed M. Alsultan, and Saleh M. Alsaiden. "Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9 (2025), 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Alawad, Feras A., Abdulaziz I. Aldossary, Husam M. Alghamdi, Sami K. Alghamdi, Fadhel N. Alibrahim, Mohammed M. Alsultan, and Saleh M. Alsaiden. "Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia." International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries 9.11 (2025), 2791-2799. Print. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Alawad, F. A., Aldossary, . A. I., Alghamdi, . H. M., Alghamdi, . S. K., Alibrahim, . F. N., Alsultan, . M. M. & Alsaiden, . S. M. (2025) Antidepressant-associated weight gain and its determinants: a cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Medicine in Developing Countries, 9 (11), 2791-2799. doi:10.24911/IJMDC.51-1762791752




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