A recent study commented on the increased risk of depression among people with obesity, an association we have long observed in clinical practice. Previous research indicates that depression and obesity tend to run together, meaning that the heavier we are, the more likely we are to be depressed. But the reverse is also true: the more we lose some of that weight and move toward a healthier weight, the more likely the depression is to lift. Wondering why?
The Mind-Body Connection
There is, undoubtedly, a lot of mind-body chemistry at work that connects our mood to the rest of our physical health and biology. It makes sense that depression might be chemically influenced by the unhealthy biological changes of obesity.
We know that obesity is predominantly an environmental disease, meaning that there have been some changes in the environment, including our food supply just in the last 60 years or so, that interact very negatively with our own genetics. And now we look around and find that everyone is gaining weight and struggling with obesity, which was not much of a problem prior to 60 years ago.
We see a lot of negative effects on health through that same obesity biology. All the organs of the body are negatively affected, so it’s no surprise that the brain is also negatively affected, manifesting with increased rates of depression.
The good news is that better drugs and much better surgery have become excellent treatments for obesity. One day we will have better prevention as well. It takes a full effort to combat both the depression and the obesity together, so if someone you love is suffering with those conditions, be sure to encourage them to get help. Treatment today is quite successful.
