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A 2010 comprehensive review found a two-way correlation between Depression and obesity, even though several demographic characteristics, including socioeconomic status, education level, age, gender, and ethnicity, may affect the direction and strength of this connection.
Yoga and physical activity lower obesity. This program Offers Weight-Loss Lessons and alleviates sadness. According to the data, those who are sad are 58% more likely to become obese, while people who are overweight are 55% more likely to experience Depression over the long term.
What Are Mental Health Problems Obese Older Adults Affected By?
In addition to their physical challenges, obese people typically have anxiety and mental problems. One study found that those who struggle with obesity had a 55% higher lifetime risk of developing depression than people who do not.
Researchers discovered a significant link between obesity and the occurrence of mental health conditions like Depression, mania, and phobias.
How Obesity Affects Mental Health
Numerous practical and societal factors may contribute to mental health issues in obese persons. These include:
- Level of Living
Men and women who are severely overweight usually have problems performing physical and occupational responsibilities due to their size and chronic conditions. Physical limitations that prevent people from doing their favorite things, including attending thrilling events, traveling, or spending time with loved ones, can lead to social isolation, loneliness, and a more striking inability to cope with life’s hardships. Chronic pain alone has been linked to Depression.
- Weight Discrimination and Prejudice
One of the most significant barriers for those who struggle with weight issues is society’s negative attitudes toward fat. Weight prejudice is beliefs and prejudices that paint fat people as unattractive, lazy, and uninterested. Family, friends, coworkers, and medical staff may hold these false beliefs widely in clinical settings. They could lead to unfair treatment that affects a person’s sense of self-worth, chances for advancement in the workplace, and even the standard of their medical care.
Low body image and discrimination towards overweight people usually go along. Patients may take on the social stigma attached to obesity, making them self-conscious about their weight and dissatisfied with their appearance. Those who struggle with obesity may frequently worry about being watched when they arrive.
- Biochemical Issues
The same health problems associated with obesity that might affect physical health can also negatively influence mental health. Research shows that a rise in inflammatory markers is associated with the maintenance of an unhealthy diet and the buildup of extra fat. Depression is more likely to occur. The ensuing inflammation has a detrimental effect on the immune system’s health.
Can Mental Health Conditions Also Be A Factor In Obesity?
There are several links between obesity and mental health issues. Being overweight may be detrimental to one’s emotional well-being, but it’s also true that having a mental health issue can impact one’s weight. Here are some examples of how:
If a person is experiencing chronic stress, worry, Depression, or mental health conditions like bipolar disease, they may use food as a coping technique. They could also eat poorly, which might lead to weight gain.
Given that low serotonin levels are linked to low mood, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and Depression, it has been established that these conditions result in cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain. In other words, serotonin insufficiency may lead to patients using food for self-medication.
Adults who are depressed may lack the drive or energy to exercise or participate in other activities. Weight problems may develop as a result of sedentary lifestyles.
The connections between mental health and obesity are complex. Additional risk factors for obesity and mental health issues include low socioeconomic status and sedentary lifestyles, all of which can contribute to Depression and weight gain.
Limitations on Treatment
It is possible to identify and treat both obesity and mental health problems. However, there are challenges to therapy that must be taken into account.
Similar to those linked with obesity, adults with mental health conditions encounter stigmatizing views about their impairments. People might become trapped in a negative cycle due to the stigmas attached to both mental illness and obesity. This is why it’s essential to increase awareness of these conditions and recognize them as accurate, serious diseases.
The procedures themselves could be complicated. For example, several pharmacotherapies may be used to treat mental health conditions like Depression. The drawback is that some drugs, particularly certain antidepressants and mood stabilizers, might cause weight gain as a side effect. People already struggling with being overweight can delay seeking treatment out of worry that they could gain more weight.
However, overweight people may find it more challenging to live a healthier lifestyle if they suffer from mental health concerns. It may be difficult for someone who is already struggling with Depression or anxiety to follow a diet plan or exercise program, which is why traditional weight-management methods are sometimes used.
Patients with Mental Health Issues and Obesity Have Hope
You should be aware that assistance is available if you are an older adult struggling with obesity and mental health problems. When traditional weight loss methods are unsuccessful, safe and effective anti-obesity medications might be an extra option.
Additionally, these drugs may lessen the weight gain of several psychiatric medications. A thorough treatment plan makes it possible to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and improve outlook and demeanor.
