Depression and Obesity in Medicaid Enrolled Adolescents: Trends in Service Use, Cost and Outcomes

Publication Date: 6/1/2010

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Description:

This study examined depression and obesity among Medicaid-enrolled adolescents ages 12-15 in the state of Florida. Depression and obesity are common conditions among the U.S. population that are increasing among both adults and children. most importantly, these two conditions are difficult to eliminate once diagnosed. Despite the abundance of publications addressing either depression or obesity in adolescence, there is a dearth of coadunate research linking the paths from one to the other. The current report focuses on gender and racial/ethnic variations among Medicaid-enrolled adolescents diagnosed with depression, obesity or both conditions compared to enrollees with neither of these two conditions. The report also examines the American Psychiatric Association (APA) guidelines for adherent treatment for adolescents diagnosed with depression, differences in costs, and a baseline to three year assessment of risks factors related to depression and obesity.