Obesity and depression are leading causes of preventable death in America and the Western world. Shockingly, an estimated 42 percent of Americans aged 20 and over were obese, meaning their Body Mass Index was 30 or higher, a March 2020 report by the CDC stated.
Two years later, a new report cited by Medical News Today has dubbed the U.S. “the most overweight” country in the world. This suggests obesity rates will continue to be a major public health problem—but then so is depression, a leading cause of disability worldwide and the main reason for suicide. A whopping 22 percent of Americans were reporting symptoms of depressive disorder in May 2022, according to the group Statista, which tracks weekly symptoms.
How Obesity and Depression Are Related
While the physical consequences of obesity are well-known, the mental health effects of being significantly overweight often get less attention. Yet they are just as important, given the close and complex relationship between obesity and depression.
How Obesity Can Trigger Depression
Here are some of the ways that obesity can trigger depression, according to an article from the National Council on Aging:
- Heightened risks for depression: Adults who were overweight or obese had a 55 percent higher risk of developing depression over their lifetime, compared to those who did not, a 2010 study in the Archives of General Psychiatry
- The inflammation connection: The excess body fat and unhealthy eating habits often associated with obesity increase inflammation in the brain and body. More inflammation in the brain and body can cause fatigue, one common symptom of depression, and raises the likelihood of developing depression.
- Psychosocial issues and obstacles: Those who are very overweight can face bias and discrimination at work and in other situations. They also can suffer from poor body image and low self-esteem. Meanwhile, obesity can impair daily function and decrease quality of life. These issues can contribute to depression and depressive symptoms.
How Depression Can Lead to Obesity
The obesity-depression link is not a one-way causal relationship. Yes, obesity can lead to depression, but the flip side is that depression can lead to obesity. One of the more obvious ways that this is true: people who are depressed often have little energy or motivation to exercise or be active. They may find it hard to get out of bed, sleep long hours, or spend endless hours sitting on the couch watching TV. Naturally, weight gain can be an outgrowth of these symptoms.
It’s also the case that low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin—deficiencies of which often signal depression—can increase anxiety, disrupt sleep, negatively affect mood, and trigger carbohydrate cravings and weight gain.
The Importance of Integrated Treatment for Obesity and Depression
Living with two stigmatized conditions can feel overwhelming, and the barriers to feeling happier and healthier—insurmountable. The good news is that co-occurring obesity and depression are often very treatable with behavioral therapies, medications, and other interventions.
What’s most important to know is that integrated treatment that addresses the root issues of both obesity and depression—together at the same time—is the most effective route. In cases where the depression is severe, inpatient treatment may be the next best step, so long as the provider takes an integrated care approach.
If you know you need help for a weight problem and depression but aren’t sure where to start, talk to your doctor and ask about integrated treatment options. They should be able to advise you or suggest next steps. Then take a moment to congratulate yourself for making progress.
