Depression is frustratingly common and difficult to manage, even with the tools we have like exercise, medication and therapy. What makes it even harder is that many people who are depressed gain weight...or is it that people who gain weight get depressed?
That's the question one study asked in the March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry. In this meta-analysis, which involves researchers going through previously published studies and analyzing them, researchers found that being obese increases the risk of depression and that being depressed can contribute to developing obesity.
In fact, obese people had a 55% increased risk of depression, while depressed people had a 58% increased risk of becoming obese.
While I don't think these results are terribly surprising considering the mental and physical toll that both depression and obesity can take on you, I do think this is important information. As the authors of the study suggest, doctors should be aware that weight should be monitored in depressed patients and that mood should be monitored in overweight patients. Tackling these issues head on may help prevent these problems or at least lead to early detection before things get out of hand.
What do you think? If you've experienced depression, how did it (or does it) affect your weight? And on the other hand, if you've experienced obesity, how did it (or does it) affect your mood and psychological state? Do depression and obesity go hand in hand and can we prevent them? Leave a comment and tell us your thoughts about obesity and depression.
Have had depression all my life. I am not obese but I do know that when you are in this dark hole (as you feel depressed) you dont care about anything and dont want to get out of bed let alone excerise and focus on your health. You just dont care. As for me… I lose my appetite; While others might not affect them but you dont really think about being healthy when you have depression.
I can see that this can lead to obesity when you are in the “hole”. Nothing matters and the last thing you want to do is exercise.
In my case, definitely depression. Though I struggled with depression all my life, I coped until about ten years ago when I became clinically depressed with constant suicidal thoughts. I had a great figure and maintained a desirable body weight. Despite continuing my five hour aerobic and three weight lifting sessions weekly – I am a registered dietitian and know well the biochemical downward spiral of depression – the anti-depressants I finally had to take lowered my metabolism. I gained nearly 30 pounds within six months of beginning medication. That’s not to say, people should not take them. Had I not, my family would hav
It depends on the person. Some ppl gain and some lose.
I went thru a bout of it when i was going thru my divorce. I had no want to eat and didn’t care about anything.
I have since remarried and talk with my wife who has gone thru a divorce, she gain weight.
so i feel it depends on the person.
When I first became depressed I threw myself into exercise. It was the only thing I made sure I did daily. I lost 100 pounds. I finally got the courage to seek therapy and medical help and gained back 45 lbs thanks to the antidepressants that it was clear I needed. 3 years later and not a pound lighter (not from lack of effort) from my initial gain I am quite depressed again.
Obesity and depression are often found together. In my case, obesity was the result of a medical condition, hypothyroidism. A sudden obesity is depressing and humiliating. Obesity and depression are common symptoms of hypothyroidism. And when my medication was eventually corrected, the depression decreased even though I was still a bit chubby. So for me, the cure was correct levels of medication. Not an easy thing to get unfortunately. There may be many undetected or under treated medical conditions that generate these two symptoms. Of course, depression can discourage a person from taking care of themselves and it may show up as weight gain, making poor food choices, no exercise. In my brother’s depression case however, it was weight loss, refusal to eat and eventually hospitalization. The cited study only saw slightly greater than a 50/50 chance. Something to watch for, but I am not sure that represents a strong link.
Can we prevent them? Probably not. They each have many causes. But education and support might be able to rein it in and perhaps reverse it. Finding good information is hard for someone obese and depressed. Since in many circles, obesity or depression are considered character flaws, education should also extend to the general public as well. Those are my thoughts.
Before I had been diagnosed with depression I didn’t have a problem with weight gain. I had exercised regularly and had a good diet. In my fifties I went up to 205 Lbs from 125 Lbs. I am five feet two inches and sixty-five years young now. My weight has been fluctuating for the past ten years. between 150-165. I eat sweets when the depression gets worse. I eat. healthier and exercise daily when the depression isn’t as bad. I feel better during day-light savings time. I take my medication daily. There were times in the past when I had stopped taking meds, thinking I could handle it myself. I don’t do this any more, because I finally admitted that I need the meds in order to function somewhat better.
Some of the drugs used to treat depression can cause weight gain. And that can make the depression worse. For me, the depression came first, then the weight gain. And then my metabolism slowed a lot after I turned 50. And as we all know, it’s harder to lose weight as we get older. Now, I constantly struggle with weight issues.
Weighing 130 pounds three years ago, the depression following my Dad’s death crept my weight up to 160. Also seroquel which was erroneously prescribed added to the weight gain. Then no longer depressed about my Dad’s death, my weight gain continued the depression to 220 in three years. So I am Both. Now I am depressed only because of the weight and the radical physical changes I’ve undergone in only three years. I have NEVER had a weight problem before. I am now exercising fiercely to get this horrid weight off. Also I am 59 and always been athletic and fit and in excellent health. This is now extremely hard to accept and yes I am now depressed.
I use to be small, but when I got married the first time, I became a victim of domestic violence. The physical and mental abuse caused me to be depressed, and to escape the sadness, I turned to food as a comfort. That was a big mistake, because now I’m obese, and it’s extremely hard to lose the weight.
depression and obesity go hand in hand. one needs motivation to get started in this situation and the best motivation is to be in love and better still is to get the one you love walk regularly with you. it will not feel like a duty but fun belive I have tried it and it worked for me. Its now six months since I started to walk with my newly wedded husband.