Obesity is most commonly seen as a weight issue only and many people do not think of the possible mental effects obesity can have on a person. Often depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, distorted body image, and low self-esteem are linked to obesity. Those that are obese are at a higher risk to be depressed than those who or not. It was found that many more people are depressed that are overweight or obese than within a normal healthy weight range. On the other side of that it is more common for people with mental disorders to become obese. According to the Canadian Obesity Network the connection between obesity and mental health is due to many different risk factors including biology stating,
"Individuals with depression have higher levels of cortisol; in people with obesity, fat tissue is linked to producing higher levels of cortisol. So you have a chemical introduced by fat tissue that, in high amounts, is linked to depression."
This is important to note because it shows that the correlation is due to uncontrolled human biology whereas many people, whom are judging based on sight alone, believe that obese persons have complete control over their weight without any thoughts as to what else may be going on mentally or biologically with that person. The Canadian Obesity Network is working towards using the association between mental health and obesity to reach towards getting the obesity epidemic under control, by helping those who struggle with obesity on both fronts.
Sources:
Collingwood, J. (2016). Obesity and Mental Health. Psych Central. Retrieved on October 27, 2017, from https://psychcentral.com/lib/obesity-and-mental-health/
http://www.obesitynetwork.ca/Obesity-and-Mental-Illness-Addressing-a-Double-Epidemic-322
I've never thought a out obesity this way, that more people that are obese are more prone to have depression. The fact that there is a scientific reasoning for this in that they have higher levels of cortisol which causes depression is very interesting and makes a lot of sense. I agree that in todays society people are so quick to judge everyone, and sometimes they have neurological and biologically the reason for either being depressed or obese. Hopefully in the near future we learn how to solve or improve this issue that is going on with millions of people today.
ReplyDeleteVery good point bringing in the mental health issues associated with obesity. Not many people are aware of the ways that mental illnesses can cause these weight problems for people. Just because someone is overweight or obese does not mean they are lazy or that they choose to live that way. That is a ridiculous thought. People suffering from obesity almost always have a mental disorder to go along with it. People judging these individuals probably only makes it harder for them to get well too. More should be done to spread this information.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that we do not always take into consideration the mental impact of obesity. While the physical effects are scary, it could have an even larger effect on someone's mental health. I also think one thing to think about, is the possible downward spiral that obesity and mental health can have when put together. Someone who is obese and experiences depression because of it, might be much more unlikely to try and reverse the situation, and possibly become more obese than before. Great blog post!
ReplyDelete