Depression, anxiety, and obesity are all difficult conditions affecting many areas of life. However, researchers indicate these conditions may share a relationship with each other. As a result, your obesity risk is increased if you are depressed and vice versa. Read on to learn more about these debilitating conditions.
Obesity Shares a Known Link With Emotional Issues
Depressive and anxious symptoms may be managed using pharmaceutical medications. Nevertheless, using medication to alleviate symptoms can lead to weight gain. Since these medicines can have side effects, patients may not realize the weight gain.
Furthermore, depression and anxiety often cause people to be sedentary. Simply sitting still increases the risk of gaining weight, especially over time. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 43% of depressed adults are obese. Even children who have been diagnosed with depression are likely to be overweight.
Obese People Are at Greater Risk of Associated Physical Issues
There is a link between depressive symptoms and obesity, but the reverse is also true. A 2010 study demonstrated obese people were 55% more likely to develop depression. Besides a greater risk of emotional troubles, physical maladies were more likely.
For example, being excessively overweight can trigger joint pain, diabetes, and hypertension. Moreover, these additional health concerns amplify depression risk, making it more common.
Chronic Stress Contributes to Depression and Obesity
Scientists have examined the links between depression, obesity, and chronic stress. Chronically elevated stress levels worsen your odds of developing depression. Similarly, stress often triggers overeating as a coping mechanism. If you don’t get it treated, it can lead to obesity, as people eat more and more to cope.
In many cases, disordered eating habits are developed during youth. Sometimes, stressful life events are the precipitating factor, such as bullying. Consequently, stress-reduction techniques should be used as a first-line treatment for both conditions.
Antidepressants May Contribute to Weight Gain
Currently, the exact nature of these conditions’ relationship is still elusive. However, it has become obvious there is a connection between them. Some research may indicate that prescription antidepressant medications are a contributing factor.
Weight gain is one of the most commonly reported side effects of antidepressants. Moreover, weight-management therapies can precipitate emotional ups and downs, worsening depressive symptoms.
Therefore, caution should be exercised when treating any of these conditions. Radical lifestyle changes can compound a difficult circumstance, leading to worse outcomes. Make sure to seek a supportive medical professional when attempting these changes.
Monitor for red-flag symptoms and notify your health provider if you notice any. For example, if you suddenly lose all interest or pleasure in activities you enjoy. Bariatric surgery could prevent weight gain associated with antidepressant regimens.
Additionally, suffering from an inability to leave your house or bed is another sign. Irregular sleep patterns and difficulty functioning can both be indicative of problematic changes.
Depressed Women Are More Likely to Become Obese
The CDC reviewed data concerning women and their risk of depression and obesity. After conducting a thorough analysis, they discovered a clear link between the two. In all age groups, depressed women were more commonly obese when compared to controls.
For example, 46.6% of women over the age of 60 were obese in the US, compared to 36.6% of non-depressed women. Extreme weight gain is less common in younger cohorts, with only 29.4% of women under 39 experiencing it.
Depression Severity Affects Risk of Obesity
In women, the severity of depression appears to intertwine with obesity. Women who reported severe depression had a substantial increase in obesity risk.
However, men did not share this same correlation between depression and weight gain. Severely depressed women were obese in 50% of cases. Meanwhile, only 32.5% of non-depressed females were obese in the reviewed dataset.
Can Depression and Obesity Influence Other Health Conditions?
Being depressed or obese can both increase your odds of other health conditions. For example, they can contribute to chronic pain, sleep problems, and heart disease. Obesity can also have an impact on your reproductive health. Fortunately, a strategic treatment plan from an OB/GYN can ameliorate these risks and symptoms, reinvigorating you.
Depression’s Relationship With Obesity in Adults
Even if you have felt depressed, you can revitalize your life with proper techniques. In addition, learning about these risks is part of a comprehensive treatment plan. If you notice worrying signs, speak to a medical practitioner and ask for help.
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