The Link between Being Overweight and Depression

Obesity and weight gain have been, for a long time, linked to a number of chronic diseases. It turns out that overweight individuals are also susceptible to depression.

For some time now, researchers have been looking for the link between obesity and depression. There is no denying that obese adults and adolescents have been known to show signs of depression.

According to a recent Australian study, middle-aged individuals with excess weight were more likely to fall into depression, compared to those with a healthy weight.

Given these findings, the question must be asked whether obesity causes depression or vice versa. While some experts are of the view that it is obesity that comes first, others think it is depression.

For psychiatrists, it is important that the link between obesity and depression be established for there to be effective remedies for both diseases.

What is the link between being overweight and depression?

Even with the existing research findings, there is yet to be found a clear causal connection between being overweight and depression. According to the existing research findings, depression and obesity tend to feed each other in a seemingly endless, destructive circle.

The following are some of the links that have been established between being overweight and depression:

Being Overweight Causes Depression

Researchers have established that overweight individuals are more than 25 percent likely to go into depression in comparison to the not so heavy. The reason for that is the low self-esteem and poor image that comes as a result of obesity. If anything, people with weight issues tend to be socially isolated and thus are susceptible to depression.

No matter where you go in the world, overweight individuals are often discriminated against, stereotyped, and ostracised. Also, being overweight is a risk factor in the development of hypertension and diabetes, which are all known causes of depression.

Depression Can Make You Overweight

According to a US study, depressed adolescents had high chances of becoming overweight within less than one year. In the same study, children who were depressed and almost obese ended up becoming more overweight over the first year.

The reason is that depressed individuals are prone to overeating and making poor dietary choices, become inactive, and avoid exercise. It has also been established by researchers that depressed individuals with low serotonin levels had high chances of becoming overweight. Many fall into the subconscious trap of overeating. According to them, this is how to restore the levels of serotonin and self-medicate.

Being Overweight and Depression Have Similar Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that lead to both depression and being overweight. For example, being in the lowest socioeconomic class is a known cause of depression and being overweight. So is living a largely sedentary life.

Given these three possible scenarios, it has been found that treating depression is easier than trying to overcome weight issues. Even so, shedding weight is also an effective way of reducing signs of depression. Clearly, there is a link between being overweight and depression. However, when it comes to which causes the othe

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