Is There a Link Between Depression and Obesity?
Researchers have been looking for the evident link between depression and obesity for years. Various studies have been conducted to find their relationship, so that both disorders can be effectively treated. It has been realized that obese individuals are susceptible to become depressed and individuals who are depressed are more likely to become obese.
However, it is still not known whether obesity leads to depression, or severe mood swings lead to excess body weight. Whatever may be the case; it is obvious that both these diseases can have a severe impact on the lives of those who are affected.
Depression Caused Due to Obesity
Depression is commonly seen among obese individuals since they are stricken with low self-confidence, isolation from society and feelings of insecurity. Moreover, the excess weight of obese people cause other related diseases like arthritis, hypertension and diabetes; and this further add to the dilemma of obese people. Thus, obese people often confine themselves to their home and feel reluctant to mingle with other people. This constant loneliness and lack of self-doubt enhances the symptoms of depression among obese people.
Obesity Caused Due to Depression
It has been found that adult as well as teenagers with symptoms of depression are prone to get obese. Individuals suffering from depression are more likely to overeat and make unhealthy food choices. Such sugar and fatty rich food supports them emotionally and distracts themselves from their depressive feelings. It feels good to enjoy fatty and unhealthy food when everything seems gloomy.
Some of the food a person desire due to despondency upsurges the level of serotonin that further triggers depression in an obese person. It has been verified that depression decreases the level of the hormone serotonin in the body, which is responsible for the increased fat in the body. Psychological changes occurring in the body cause changes in the hormonal and immune system to cause obesity.
Usually people in depression feel tired and sluggish. Depression makes them lethargic and they struggle to conduct even their day to day activities. Additionally, depressed people with low energy levels find difficult to get motivated and carry on with their regular fitness routine.
Treatments Available for Depression and Obesity
There are various ways of treating obesity and depression. As depression and obesity are linked to each other, health care experts are trying to treat both conditions simultaneously to produce positive results. Let’s have a look at some treatment options for depression and obesity.
Treatment for Depression
According to doctors, it is much easier to cure depression than obesity if it is diagnosed early. Therefore, doctors recommend obese people with depression to seek appropriate treatment. Antidepressant medicines, stress-reduction therapies, psychotherapies and proper counseling can help obese people overcome their depressive feelings. Successful treatment of depression fosters a positive boldness among obese individuals, and they pick healthy lifestyle to help ease their surplus weight.
Treatment for Obesity
Some of the several ways of treating obesity includes designed diet plans, exercise and medications. You may also consider weight loss surgery if you are at a risk of obesity related diseases or have a BMI between 35 and 40. Weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery, is an easy alternative for losing weight along with the improvement in the psychological health of an affected individual.
Weight loss surgery works great when fitness exercises, dieting and other methods of treatments have failed to show promising results. Numerous people who underwent weight loss surgery for their obesity found that as they lost weight, they also overcame their symptoms of depression.
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