To Your Health
June, 2023 (Vol. 17, Issue 06) |
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Obesity Is a Real Downer
By Editorial Staff
While cultural acceptance and appreciation of body type / weight is certainly trending, the health consequences of obesity, particularly over the long term, remain a big concern. This includes not only physical health, but mental health as well.
Obesity is associated with a higher risk of experiencing mental health disorders throughout life; and the longer one is obese, the more likely they'll suffer. Let's see why the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight go far beyond what meets the eye.
A study in Translational Psychiatry has correlated obesity with a wide range of mental disorders across all age groups. We're talking about everything from nicotine addiction to depression, psychosis, anxiety, and eating and personality disorders. The risk of experiencing a mental disorder was significantly higher in obese vs. non-obese patients. With the exception of psychosis, obesity was the first diagnosis made significantly more often than not, suggesting a correlation between the two. In terms of demographics, younger age groups (up to age 30) and female patients were the most likely to receive a mental diagnosis associated with weight.
Obesity persistence was also a relevant factor, with "each decade of adult-life obesity ... identified as a relevant risk factor for receiving additional mental health diagnoses,"according to the study authors. This finding may be the most significant, as it suggests mental health only worsens over time in people who stay obese. (Research suggests similar correlations with physical health.)
To learn more about how obesity can negatively impact your physical and mental health, click here. If you're struggling with your weight, talk to your doctor about sensible solutions that work for you.
