Obesity Linked to Depression

A new scientific study challenges the stereotype that those who are overweight are happier than their slimmer counterparts. Using a cross-sectional study design, investigators found that obesity is related to both depression and other mood disorders. Obesity or excessive body weight, is estimated to affect one-third of Americans. It is defined as having a body-mass index (BMI) of greater than 30, whereBMI is a simple method for calculating body fat from an individual?s height and weight. Depression is when individuals suffer from increased levels of sadness,which can effect the person?s day-to-day functioning in society. The study, published in the July issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry, involved 9 125 participants. Each subject completed an in-person interview to determine their mental status. The weight and height measurements used to calculate the BMI were self-reported. The study found that individuals who were obese were 25% more likely to suffer from depression. In addition, obese participants were more likely to suffer from bipolar disorder or agoraphobia. However, the study did find that drug and alcohol abuse was 25% less likely in the obese participants. The study did not determine whether being obese lead to the development of depression-since obese individuals are prone to teasing and emotional abuse- or if depression lead to obesity-depression is linked to a decrease in individuals participation in activities, and a common side effect of medication used to treat depression is weight gain. The information produced from the study suggests that clinicians should watch for depression in obese patients.