Is There Any Link Between Obesity And Mental Health?

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Is There Any Link Between Obesity And Mental
Health?
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What Mental Health Effects Can Obesity Have?
Obesity, mood and anxiety disorders are related,
according to NCBI. In other words, if you are
obese, you might be more likely to experience a
mental health condition like depression or
anxiety. You might wonder whether obesity leads
to mental health problems or the opposite.
Researchers have varying perspectives on the
connection between obesity and mental health.
According to Harvard Health Publishing,
emotional distress can make some people eat more
than they should. Stress management techniques
that involve food can lead to obesity and
uncontrollable weight gain. Others may
experience psychological distress due to obesity.
Being overweight can cause one to feel bad
about themselves. Those who are overweight may
undergo stigma or judgement from others. These
incidents may cause low self-esteem. People who
are obese may find it challenging to engage in
constructive activities, making it more difficult
to manage negative emotions. Furthermore,
obesity is associated with a more significant
number of physical health issues and pain, which
can elevate stress.
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Which Mental Health Issues Are Associated With
Obesity?
Anxiety
Significant worry is a component of the mental
health disorder known as anxiety. According to
NCBI, people who are obese are more likely to
suffer from anxiety disorders like social
anxiety, panic disorder, and generalized
anxiety. The definitions of these three disorders
are as follows
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Depression
A mood disorder called depression is
characterised by sadness, a decline in ones
interests and hobbies, and unfavorable
self-perceptions. Depression frequently causes
an increase in appetite and weight gain, which
increases the risk of obesity in depressed
people. For female adolescents, the connection
between obesity and depression is
vital. According to the sage pub, in some cases,
having depression can cause obesity and vice
versa. People with depression may use food as a
coping mechanism for unpleasant emotions,
resulting in excessive weight gain. Depression
can cause low energy and a lack of motivation to
exercise, contributing to weight gain. For those
who already have obesity, the strain of managing
the condition and its effects on ones life can
cause unfavorable emotions that can develop into
depression.
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Bipolar disorder
Another type of mood disorder that includes manic
and depressive episodes is bipolar disorder. A
person has either an elevated or irritable mood
for at least a week during a manic episode.
Additional signs include overconfidence in ones
importance or skills, increased energy that
keeps you awake, racing thoughts, impulsive
actions, etc. According to PubMed, specific
factors may have contributed to the connection
between obesity and bipolar disorder. Bipolar
disorder patients, like those with other mental
health conditions, may use food as a coping
mechanism.
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Link Between Obesity And Mental Health?