Adults with obesity are more likely to experience psychological problems, especially depression. Many factors can contribute to depression in this group. However, there is limited research on how factors such as the number of roles, occupational balance, daily living skills, sleep quality, and physical activity relate to depression. This study aimed to explore how these factors contribute to perceived depression among adults with obesity in Malaysia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a health district clinic in Selangor, Malaysia, involving adults with obesity. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling and were required to meet the following criteria: ability to read and complete a questionnaire, a BMI greater than 30, independent ambulation, and consent to participate. Measures included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) for perceived depression, Role Checklist for number of roles, Occupational Balance Questionnaire for occupational balance, Impact of Weight on Daily Activities Questionnaire (IWDAQ) for daily living skills performance, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for physical activity.

A total of 331 adults with obesity participated (mean age = 32.9 ± 9.7; mean BMI = 50.82 ± 18.4). Over half reported at least minimal stress (n = 200, 60.4%). Regression analysis revealed (Table 1) that daily living skills, sleep quality, and occupational balance significantly predicted perceived depression (R² = 0.83, F = 159.70, p < 0.001).

Daily living skills, sleep quality, and occupational balance significantly influence perceived depression among adults with obesity. These findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to implement targeted interventions addressing these domains to mitigate psychological distress in this population.