The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Syndrome on Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Adults in Banja Luka

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to explore the influence of sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle on the occurrence of anxiety and depression, and the interrelationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and anxiety and depression. Methods. A total of 685 adults were divided into two groups (with and without MS) using the International Diabetes Federation’s definition of MS. In both groups, we used the Beck Inventory for Anxiety and Depression. The influence of sociodemographic and other characteristics on the occurrence of MS, anxiety, and depression was observed. The multivariate logistic regression model was appropriate for determining which variables (especially anxiety and depression) affected the presence of MS in the participants. Results. MS was observed in 37.5% of participants. Women with mild and severe anxiety were statistically significantly more represented in the group with MS than in the group without MS (26.2% : 12.0%, P=0.001; 16.7% : 4.8%, P=<0.001), as well as women with severe depression (6.3% : 1.9%, P=0.038), while there was no significant difference in men. Sociodemographic characteristics such as female gender, older age, employment status (retirees and homemakers), lower level of education, marital status (divorced and widowed), and more children affected the occurrence of anxiety and depression in participants. Physical inactivity during leisure time, high-risk drinking, and a higher level of cardiovascular risk showed significant influence on the presence of anxiety and depression, while smoking was inversely associated with the presence of depression but not with anxiety. Conclusion. The association between MS and anxiety and depression was confirmed. Women with MS were at a higher risk of anxiety and depression symptoms, whereas this was not confirmed in men.