The obesity/depression cycle has been described as a “chicken-and-the-egg” type situation. No one really knows which condition leads to the other. The only thing researchers have discovered is that there is a link and that one condition feeds off the other. The only way to stop the cycle is to interrupt the pattern.
The Facts about Depression
Depression affects over more than 15 million Americans. The sad thing is that many people do not know it. “Depression affects people of all ages…It can strike anyone…and can affect a person’s life in so many ways…In the United States alone, around 10% of the country’s total population of age 18 years and older develop depressive symptoms…” (emphasis added) (www.depressionstatistics.org)
Approximately one in 33 children suffers from clinical depression, usually as a result of overexposure to a stressful environment. Depression diagnoses are higher amongst women, almost twice as much as men, and married women (especially those who have just given birth) are diagnosed more frequently than single women.
Men do experience depression, usually as a result of loss of employment or prolonged unemployment, forced retirement, divorce or separation from close family members. Men are more likely to commit suicide; in fact, suicide rates among men are three times higher than in women. Men also tend to develop some form of cardiovascular disease after their depression diagnosis.
Seniors also have high rates of suicide where depression is involved, and treatment for depression in seniors can cost more than 50 percent more than that for adults and children. Depression is also common in people who care for the elderly.
Depression is more than being glum or having “the blues”. “It is thought to be caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals.” (www.1on1health.com) It is not something that a person can just “snap out of” or “get over”. It actually requires psychological and sometimes medical treatment. People with depression struggle with what feels like a “black curtain of despair”. They have no energy, can’t focus, or feel angry all the time without an obvious reason.
As with most things, the severity and onset of symptoms vary from patient to patient.
The Facts about Obesity
Despite nation-wide efforts to address the problem of obesity, it continues to be a significant health problem.
A person is declared obese if they have a body mass index (BMI), calculated using height and weight, of 30 or higher. It is estimated that one in three American adults are obese.
Breaking the Obesity/Depression Cycle
“Studies have shown that obese people are about 25 percent more likely to experience a mood disorder like depression compared with those who are not obese. Obesity can cause poor self-image, low self-esteem, and social isolation…” (www.everydayhealth.com)
“People experiencing depression are more likely to overeat or make poor food choices, avoid exercising, and become more sedentary. Researchers have found that depressed people with decreased levels of the hormone serotonin also have a tendency toward obesity – they tend to eat in an attempt to self-medicate and restore their serotonin levels to normal.” (www.everydayhealth.com)
Serotonin regulates moods, emotions, sleep, and appetite. Serotonin levels are usually controlled by food intake, specifically, carbohydrates. If a diet is too rich in carbohydrates, particularly those high in fat, a person is much more likely to gain weight, especially if their depressive state leaves them unmotivated or unable to engage in regular physical activity.
To break the cycle, it is imperative that a person work with their doctor to find a treatment protocol that addresses both issues. Learn to spot the triggers or the onset of depressive symptoms early. Take note of what you’re eating. If you notice you’re eating more carbohydrates, it may be an indication that you are depressed and trying to boost your serotonin levels. Investigate alternatives for boosting your serotonin levels that will keep you away from the fattening carbs.
If you tend to be one who isolates oneself when feeling depressed, seek ways to keep yourself active. A good online chat group or “in person” support group from a community center, team, hospital or church are good options for emotional back-up.
*NOTE* Stay away from dieting. Dieting is often psychologically associated with giving something up and can worsen your moods. Obesity, depression and overall wellness is as much a psychological battle as it is a physical one. Antidepressants can also result in weight gain.
Sources: www.depressionstatistics.org; www.obesity.org; www.everydayhealth.com; www.anxietyinsights.info; http://health.msn.com; www.1on1health.com; www.cdc.org; www.biopsychiatry.com