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Study Finds Link Between Depression and Obesity
 A new
study has found that people who are obese were more likely to become depressed,
and people who were depressed were more likely to become obese. This recent
research linking depression and obesity was reported at ScienceDaily June 2,
2008.
Researchers led by Sarah M.
Markowitz, M.S. examined the potential links between obesity and depression
through examining correlational data which suggested that there may be a
connection between the conditions, and identified what appeared to be causal
pathways from obesity to depression and depression to obesity.
The obese are believed to be
more likely to become depressed as they experience poor health, and are
frequently more dissatisfied with their physical appearance. This causal link
was especially prominent among women and among individuals with high
socioeconomic status.
It was also found that
people who were depressed were far more likely to be obese because of some of
the physiological changes related to their hormones in their immune system that
occur when an individual is depressed. They frequently have more difficulty
taking good care of themselves because of the symptoms and many of the
consequence of depression such as no longer adhering to fitness regimens,
overeating, and having negative thinking.
Current treatments that
focus on exercise and stress reduction can help manage both obesity and
depression at the same time. Dieting, which can sometimes worsen mood and
antidepressants, which can frequently cause weight gain should probably be
minimized.
The authors concluded that
“The treatment of depression obesity should be integrated.” The authors then
went on to conclude that “This way, healthcare providers are working together to
treat both conditions, rather than each in isolation.”
This study was published in
the March 2008 issue of Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice
Citation:
Wiley-Blackwell (2008, June
6). Obesity And Depression May Be Linked.
ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 10, 2008, from http://www.sciencedaily.com
/releases/2008/06/080602152913.htm
Additional Information and
webpage by
Paul Susic
MA Licensed
Psychologist Ph.D. Candidate
(Health and Geriatric Psychologist)
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