Univ. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manole Cojocaru
Obesity and depression are both very common. What is more concerning is the interrelationship between the obesity and depression. It was discovered that there is a strong connection between depression and obesity. Does depression cause obesity, or does obesity prompt depression? Obesity and depression are linked. Obesity increases the risk of depression in initially non-depressed individuals and depression increases the risk of obesity in initially normal-weight individuals. Obesity can become the cause of several other problems, and the common condition experienced by obese people is depression. Obesity and depression can be linked in both ways.
Obesity, like depression, is an extremely important and common epidemiologic condition. Obesity is increasingly a problem. Obesity can be defined as an excess of body fat. It is commonly measured through the Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares a person's weight and height. A BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 indicates obesity, while a BMI between 25-30 kg/m2 signals overweight. People who eat a lot of junk food, processed foods and eat from fast food chains will certainly gain weight and have greater chance of experiencing depression and obesity.
In relation to the link between obesity and depression, these include socio-economic status, genetic make-up, gender, age and marital status. A major review reveals that research indicates people who are obese may be more likely to become depressed, and people who are depressed may be more likely to become obese. It is important for people to understand that obesity is not a permanent condition and can be reversed. The treatment of depression and obesity should be integrated.
Depression can result in dietary behaviours which may lead to obesity. People who are depressed may be more likely to become obese because of physiological changes in their hormone and immune systems that occur in depression. Physical inactivity can cause both depression and obesity. Abdominal obesity was found to be a strong predictor of depression. Depression and obesity can occur at the same time in females in adulthood and adolescence. Medications used to treat depression can result in obesity.
Researchers have found that depressed people with decreased levels of the hormone serotonin also have a tendency toward obesity — they tend to eat in an attempt to self-medicate and restore their serotonin levels to normal.
When people go through a lot of stress, a certain hormone called cortisol, or stress hormone, is released in the human body. This hormone is linked to metabolism and other physiological functions. Also, cortisol is responsible for fat deposition in the abdominal area, which is dangerous to the health and smooth functioning of the human body. Thus, stress contributes to weight gain, which in turn can trigger depression.
Persons suffering from depression often tend to overeat, exercise less, and end up gaining a lot of weight; thus, depression can become one of the main causes of obesity. Also, obesity in teens and young adults can cause a lot of stress, frustration, and low self-esteem issues which contribute to depression.
It is important to remain positive, optimistic, and confident throughout the weight loss program. What is clear here that weight management is the key to happiness.
In conclusion, world obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Obesity and depression are considered to be closely linked to one another. Obesity increases the chance of suffering depression as a young adult. Treatment and prevention strategies for obesity and depression could be improved if the exact relationship between them is found. Indeed, being overweight or obese is strongly connected to depression and one condition can lead to another.
Obesity and depression are both very common. What is more concerning is the interrelationship between the obesity and depression. It was discovered that there is a strong connection between depression and obesity. Does depression cause obesity, or does obesity prompt depression? Obesity and depression are linked. Obesity increases the risk of depression in initially non-depressed individuals and depression increases the risk of obesity in initially normal-weight individuals. Obesity can become the cause of several other problems, and the common condition experienced by obese people is depression. Obesity and depression can be linked in both ways.
Obesity, like depression, is an extremely important and common epidemiologic condition. Obesity is increasingly a problem. Obesity can be defined as an excess of body fat. It is commonly measured through the Body Mass Index (BMI), which compares a person's weight and height. A BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 indicates obesity, while a BMI between 25-30 kg/m2 signals overweight. People who eat a lot of junk food, processed foods and eat from fast food chains will certainly gain weight and have greater chance of experiencing depression and obesity.
In relation to the link between obesity and depression, these include socio-economic status, genetic make-up, gender, age and marital status. A major review reveals that research indicates people who are obese may be more likely to become depressed, and people who are depressed may be more likely to become obese. It is important for people to understand that obesity is not a permanent condition and can be reversed. The treatment of depression and obesity should be integrated.
Depression can result in dietary behaviours which may lead to obesity. People who are depressed may be more likely to become obese because of physiological changes in their hormone and immune systems that occur in depression. Physical inactivity can cause both depression and obesity. Abdominal obesity was found to be a strong predictor of depression. Depression and obesity can occur at the same time in females in adulthood and adolescence. Medications used to treat depression can result in obesity.
Researchers have found that depressed people with decreased levels of the hormone serotonin also have a tendency toward obesity — they tend to eat in an attempt to self-medicate and restore their serotonin levels to normal.
When people go through a lot of stress, a certain hormone called cortisol, or stress hormone, is released in the human body. This hormone is linked to metabolism and other physiological functions. Also, cortisol is responsible for fat deposition in the abdominal area, which is dangerous to the health and smooth functioning of the human body. Thus, stress contributes to weight gain, which in turn can trigger depression.
Persons suffering from depression often tend to overeat, exercise less, and end up gaining a lot of weight; thus, depression can become one of the main causes of obesity. Also, obesity in teens and young adults can cause a lot of stress, frustration, and low self-esteem issues which contribute to depression.
It is important to remain positive, optimistic, and confident throughout the weight loss program. What is clear here that weight management is the key to happiness.
In conclusion, world obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. Obesity and depression are considered to be closely linked to one another. Obesity increases the chance of suffering depression as a young adult. Treatment and prevention strategies for obesity and depression could be improved if the exact relationship between them is found. Indeed, being overweight or obese is strongly connected to depression and one condition can lead to another.
