Depress-ity: The Link Between Depression and Obesity

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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).

8. 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).

9. 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).

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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, PaiRomundstad, 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-and-symptoms-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, TeodorPostolache, MD, and SorenSnitker, 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/>.