Depression and obesity often occur together and they are a terrible combination. Both are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and shorter life expectancy. There appears to be a chicken-and-egg relationship between the two conditions and each can make the other worse. Here’s how obesity is related to depression.
How obesity leads to depression.
Studies show that overweight people are about 25 percent more likely to suffer from mood disorders such as depression. There are a variety of reasons for this. Overweight people often suffer from poor self-image, low self-esteem, and social isolation. These all contribute to depression. What’s more, being overweight discourages people from physical activity. Carrying extra weight requires more energy and puts more stress on your joints, making physical activity unpleasant, and even painful. The less active someone is, the more likely she will feel depressed. Regular exercise has been shown in many studies to improve mood, concentration, emotional regulation, and general health, while being sedentary has been shown to worsen mood, decrease energy, and lead to many health problems, especially cardiovascular disease. Finally, the poor eating habits that lead to obesity also contribute to depression. Many studies have found that a diet high in sugar and fat contributes to depressive symptoms. Not only are these foods unhealthy in themselves, but they are also cheap and addictive, making them easy to overconsume. On the other hand, a healthy diet primarily based on vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, whole grains, and foods rich in omega-3 oils, such as olive oil and fatty fish, have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of depression.
How depression leads to obesity.
Depression can affect the appetite in unusual ways. Often, people suffering from an episode of depression will not be hungry at all and will actually lose weight pretty quickly. However, it’s also common to overeat, and especially to eat a lot of “comfort foods” that are high in carbs, sugar, and fat. These foods are often a way of self-medicating. You get a slight boost of dopamine and serotonin after eating them, but soon, your blood sugar crashes, you feel irritable and fatigued, and you become hungry again soon. Depression also discourages you from physical activity. When you can barely get out of bed, the last thing you want to do is go run three miles. It may take an extreme effort of will just to get up and get dressed. This lethargy combined with unhealthy eating can lead to rapid weight gain, which makes you feel even worse. It’s also worth keeping in mind that both depression and obesity may share a common cause. Often trauma or abuse can cause someone to be depressed and to overeat. Breaking the cycle of depression and obesity will likely require therapy and a commitment to making some healthy lifestyle changes as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or depression, we can help. Recovery Ways is a premier drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility located in Salt Lake City, Utah. We have the resources to effectively treat a dual diagnosis. Our mission is to provide the most cost-effective, accessible substance abuse treatment to as many people as possible. Request information online or call us today at 1-888-986-7848.
