Table 1.
Descriptive statistics
| Mean | SD | |
|---|---|---|
| Outcomes | ||
| Depression (d/mo) | 3.37 | 7.56 |
| Depressed (depression ≥ 16 d/mo) | 0.07 | 0.26 |
| Obesity | ||
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 26.94 | 5.36 |
| Demographic variables | ||
| Age (y) | 49.95 | 16.80 |
| Male | 0.41 | 0.49 |
| Race | ||
| White | 0.85 | 0.36 |
| Black | 0.08 | 0.27 |
| Others | 0.07 | 0.26 |
| Hispanic | 0.06 | 0.24 |
| Married | 0.56 | 0.50 |
| Education | ||
| Less than high school | 0.09 | 0.29 |
| High school graduate | 0.30 | 0.46 |
| Some college | 0.27 | 0.45 |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 0.33 | 0.47 |
| Annual household income (US dollar) | ||
| <10 000 | 0.05 | 0.23 |
| 10 000-15 000 | 0.06 | 0.24 |
| 15 000-20 000 | 0.08 | 0.27 |
| 20 000-25 000 | 0.10 | 0.30 |
| 25 000-35 000 | 0.14 | 0.35 |
| 35 000-50 000 | 0.18 | 0.38 |
| 50 000-75 000 | 0.17 | 0.38 |
| ≥75 000 | 0.22 | 0.41 |
| Observations (n) | 2 433 848 | |
Data from Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1997-2008.
The sample included individuals aged 18 and over. The depression measure reflects mental health, which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions.
Participants were asked to identify for how many days during the past 30 days their mental health was not good.