How Are Obesity and Depression Related to Every Other?
By: nikky Howard
Submitted: 2010-06-15 00:36:25 | Word Count: 619
Link between obesity and depression has been extensively studied by health experts. Researchers are confused whether or not obesity leads to depression or depression causes obesity. They make a case for it as a "chicken and egg case". This can be as a result of various studies have shown that obese individuals are probably to become depressed whereas folks who are suffering from depression have a high chance to turn obese. Researchers have tried to offer varied reasons to clarify the connection between obesity and depression and the causal pathways that lead an individual from obesity to depression and vice versa.
Psychological reasons
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Specialists believe that obese folks are a lot of doubtless to become depressed as a result of they feel lowly concerning themselves. They find themselves under the weather and are discontented with their appearance. The association between obesity and depression was found to be additional pronounced amongst ladies and folks belonging to a high socio-economic status. On the opposite hand, those full of depression are at a risk of changing into obese because of physiological changes occurring in their hormonal and immune systems. It has also been seen that depressed individuals are less seemingly to take care of themselves and have problems adhering to a fitness regimen. They are doubtless to develop negative thoughts and overeat to derive a sense of satisfaction.
Hormonal link
Relation between obesity and depression has also been explained through hormones. In obese people, numerous hormonal changes take place. In healthy individuals, their body is in a position to take care of the hormonal balance, but this is not therefore in the case of obese people. In obese individuals, a lot of stress hormone known as cortisol is produced. This results in an increase in stress levels, that in turn stimulates their body to store more body fat. This explains why obesity leads to depression and why obese individuals realize it onerous to resist the urge to eat excessively.
Biological reason
Scientists recommend that the extra weight in obese individuals causes further stress on the bones, muscles and joints, resulting in additional injuries or pain. A continuing feeling of lethargy and pain makes them feel depressed.
Social and societal pressures
Social and societal pressures are the key factors that specify the link between obesity and depression. Modern society glamorizes skinny models and slim folks while obese folks are usually ridiculed. This makes obese people sad and it even turns them into a recluse. It has been observed that obese people are scared to socialize and often remain at home; an absence of self-confidence and constant loneliness makes depression a typical phenomenon for obese individuals.
Obesity and depression should be treated together
As obesity and depression are strongly linked together, specialists counsel that the treatment of depression and obesity should conjointly be integrated. As an example, exercise and stress reduction treatments can help to require care of each obesity and depression simultaneously. Regular exercise can make you burn excess calories and unharness positive hormones that reduce depression. Stress reduction can create you adopt a positive angle towards life and encourage you to eat healthy, which will facilitate your scale back weight. Consultants conjointly suggest that dieting and use of antidepressants ought to be discouraged. This can be as a result of dieting has the potential to worsen mood whereas antidepressants will result in weight gain.
Author Resource:-
Nikky has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Detoxification, you can also check out his latest website about:
