An analysis of the association between BMI and suicidal ideation, psychological distress among professional women

This study investigates the association between BMI, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress among professional women. A total of 2131 eligible female participants were recruited from a routine health examination cohort. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between BMI, suicidal ideation, and psychological distress. Among the participants, 108 (5.1%) reported suicidal ideation, and 187 (8.7%) reported psychological distress. The results showed that among women under 35 years, overweight or obesity was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (OR = 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06-2.48), whereas underweight status was associated with reduced odds of psychological distress (OR = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.21-0.80). No significant associations were observed between BMI and mental health outcomes in women aged 35 years and older. The study demonstrates that among professional women under 35 years of age, overweight and obesity are significant risk factors for suicidal ideation, whereas underweight status is protective against psychological distress. These findings may inform the development of targeted mental health interventions for young professional women.