Background
: Obesity has been considered as a significant health problem because it is associated with several metabolic diseases, low self esteem and variable psychological problems which include anxiety, Depression and conversion reaction. The authors tried to observe the degree of depression in obese patients for better management of them.

Methods : Obese group was selected among the first visitor at Family Medicine department of Asan Medical Center and Sports Medicine Center. The criteria of obese group was over 120 percent to ideal body weight(n=93). The control group was the body weight under 110 percent to ideal body weight(n=177). The subjects who had psychologic disease and took the medication related to the depression and anxiety were excluded. Using Korean standard BDI, we evaluated to depression scale. The cut-off points of the depression were determined as 10,13, 17, and 21 points.

Results : The number of the subject of obese group was 93(male : 49 ; female : 44) and that of the control group was 177(male : 100 ; female : 77). In the male subjects, there was no significant difference in depression scale between both groups. In female subjects, the mean BDI score, 18.2±7.4 in the obese group was significantly higher than the mean score, 7.5±6.5 in the control group(P<0.05). The frequencies of depression at each cut-off points(10, 13, 17 and 21) were significantly different between the obese group and the control group in cases of all and female subjects(P<0.05). The frequencies of derpession in the each cut-off points showed no difference between both groups in case of male subjects(P>0.05).

Conclusion : Since the female obese group had the high depression scale, the multi-disciplenary approaches which include the psychological supports are required to manage and treat them.