Download File

Depress-ity: The Link Between
Depression and Obesity
STUDIES SHOW THAT OVERWEIGHT OR
OBESE INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO
BECOME DEPRESSED.
ON THE SAME ACCOUNT, PEOPLE THAT ARE
DEPRESSED HAVE A HIGHER RISK OF
BECOMING OBESE OR OVERWEIGHT.
Understanding the Link
 Understand what classifies a person as
depressed and overweight or obese.
 Be aware of how one disorder could be a risk
factor for the other.
 Be informed on the scientific data displaying
the association between the two.
Depression
 There are several types of depression but all of them can be
characterized by the following to a certain degree: A combination of
symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work,
sleep, study, eat, and enjoy once-pleasurable activities.
 Symptoms include: persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, emptiness,
hopelessness, pessimism, guilt, helplessness, worthlessness, irritability,
restlessness, insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of interest,
overeating, loss of appetite, thoughts of suicide, aches, pains, digestive
problems.
Overweight & Obese
 Overweight and obesity can be defined as abnormal or
excessive fat accumulation that may impair one’s health.
 Overweight: BMI greater than or equal to 25
 Obese: BMI greater than or equal to 30
How Obesity can Lead to Depression
 Studies show that being overweight or obese can increase




the chance of a mood disorder like depression by 25%
compared to individuals who are not overweight.
Being overweight or obese can cause low self esteem, poor
self image, and social isolation – all of which are known
contributors to depression.
People who are obese are often criticized and stereotyped
leading to depression.
The extra body weight carried around can also cause joint
pain, diabetes and hypertension – all of which have been
linked to depression.
The sedentary lifestyle that is often associated with obesity
gives rise to feelings associated with depression.
How Depression can Lead to Weight Gain
 People who are depressed are more likely to overeat and make poor
dietary choices.
 Depression can also decrease one’s desire to exercise and they tend to
be more sedentary
 Researchers established that depressed people that have decreased
levels of the hormone serotonin have a greater tendency towards
obesity – they eat in an attempt to self medicate and increase serotonin
levels.
Scientific Evidence
 In a study of 74,332 men and women investigating the association
of BMI and anxiety and depression, results showed an
increased risk of depression in individuals with a raised
BMI (Bjerkeset, 193).
 In an article that identified common pathways and underlying
mechanisms of depression and obesity, they reported that “weight
gain is also associated with the depressive episodes and is
likely a consequence of the food craving” (Reeves, 107).
 In a study of 820 men and women that researched if there is a
weight change associated with anxiety and depression, they found
that in females anxiety disorders were associated with a
higher weight status (Anderson, 1).
Scientific Evidence
 In a recent Journal of Obesity article, authors wrote
about the fact that negative moods can both prompt
and result from binge eating, and that binge
eating is associated with obesity. This suggests that
depression is comorbid with obesity (Schneider, 1).
 Depression and obesity have similar associated chronic
medical conditions, poor treatment compliance, higher
utilization of health services and worse health outcomes,
they are thought to predict each others
occurrence (Onyike, 1139).
Conclusion
The Relation Between Obesity and Depression is
Multidirectional
“Inactivity is a cause of obesity. Depression may be a cause of
inactivity and therefore promote obesity. Those with a large
body have greater difficulty exercising and derive less
pleasure doing so; the resultant inactivity may promote
digestion” (Reeves, 107).
Exam Question
1. Obesity can lead to depression because of which of
the following:
a) Being overweight causes low self esteem, poor self image, and
social isolation
b) Obese people often find themselves made fun of and criticized
c) The extra body weight can increase risks for other health
conditions which can cause depression
d) All of the above
Exam Questions
2. True or False: Struggling with depression can
increase an individual’s likelihood of gaining weight?
3. True or False: An overweight individual has a BMI
classified as less than or equal to 25.
Answers
1. Obesity can lead to depression because of which of the
following:
Answer: D) All of the above
2. True or False: Struggling with depression can increase
an individual’s likelihood of gaining weight?
Answer: True
3. True or False: An overweight individual has a BMI
classified as less than or equal to 25.
Answer: False. An overweight individual has an BMI
greater than 25.
References
Anderson, Sarah, MS, Patricia Cohen, PhD, Elena Naumova, PhD, and Aviva Must, PhD. "Association of Depression and
Anxiety Disorders With Weight Change in a Prospective Community-Based Study of Children Followed Up Into
Adulthood." Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 160.3 (2006): n. pag. The Jama Network. Web. 23 Oct.
2012. <http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=204656http://>.
Bjerkeset, Ottar, Pai Romundstad, Jonathan Evans, and David Gunnell. "Association of Adult Body Mass Index and Height
with Anxiety, Depression, and Suicide in the General Population." American Journal of Epidemiology 167.2 (2007):
193-200. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/167/2/193.short>.
"Depression." NIMH · What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression? US Department of Health and Human Services,
n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/depression/what-are-the-signs-andsymptoms-of-depression.shtml>.
"Depression and Obesity." EverydayHealth.com. Everyday Health Media, LLC, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
<http://www.everydayhealth.com/depression/depression-and-obesity.aspx>.
"Obesity and Overweight." WHO. World Health Organization, n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
<http:/?www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/>.
Onyike, Chiadi, Rosa Crum, Hochang Lee, and Constantine Lyketsos. "Is Obesity Associated with Major Depression?
Results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey." American Journal of Epidemiology 158.12
(2003): 1139-147. Oxford Journals. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
<http://http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/158/12/1139.full>.
Reeves, Gloria, MD, Teodor Postolache, MD, and Soren Snitker, MD. "Childhood Obesity and Depression: Connection
between These Growing Problems in Growing Children." NIH Public Access 1.2 (2008): 103-14. National Institues of
Health. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2568994/>.
Schneider, Kristin L., Austin S. Baldwin, Devin Mann, and Norbert Schmitz. "Depression, Obesity, Eating Behavior, and
Physical Activity." Journal of Obesity 2012 (2012): n. pag. Hindawai Publishing Corporation. Web. 23 Oct. 2012.
<http://http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jobes/2012/517358/>.