obesity and depression

In a new study researchers have found that obesity and depression often go hand-in-hand in middle-aged women.

Researchers collected information on the height, weight, dietary and exercise habits, and body image. There were 4,641 women, ages 40 to 65, enrolled in a health plan participating. The participants also completed a questionnaire used to measure depression symptoms.

The study found that women with clinical depression were more than twice as likely to be obese and obese women were more than twice as likely to be depressed . The study also found that women with BMIs of 30 or higher exercised the least, had the poorest body image, and consumed 20 percent more calories than women with lower BMIs.


The study was published in the January/February issue of the journal General Hospital Psychiatry.

What are the symptoms of depression?

According to familydoctor.org,

• Feeling sad or crying a lot
• Losing interest or pleasure in things you used to enjoy (including sex)
• Feeling guilty, hopeless or worthless
• Thinking about death or suicide
• Sleeping too much, or not being able to go to sleep or stay asleep
• Losing your appetite and losing weight (or eating too much and gaining weight)
• Feeling very tired or slowed down
• Having trouble paying attention and making decisions
• Having aches and pains that don't get better with treatment

The exact cause may not be known but, according to specialists, depression seems to be related to a chemical imbalance in the brain that makes it hard for the cells to communicate with one another. Stressful life events, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce or moving , may lead to depression. Taking certain medicines, abusing drugs or alcohol, or having other illnesses can also cause depression.

Coping with your depression, according to familydoctor.org

• Don't isolate yourself. Stay in touch with your loved ones and friends, your religious adviser, and your family doctor.
• Don't make major life decisions (for example, about separation or divorce). You may not be thinking clearly right now, so your decisions may not be the best ones for you.
• Don't blame yourself for your depression. You didn't cause it.
• Don't be discouraged about not feeling well right away. Be patient with yourself.
• Don't give up.
• Do exercise every day to make yourself feel better and to get more energy.
• Do eat balanced meals and healthy food, and get enough sleep.
• Do take your medicine and/or go to counseling as often as your doctor tells you to. Your medicine won't work if you only take it once in a while.
• Do set small goals for yourself, because you may have less energy.
• Do encourage yourself.
• Do get as much information as you can about depression and its treatment.
• Do call your doctor or the local suicide crisis center right away if you start thinking about suicide.