Studies conclude that Obesity and Depression Conditions are linked

Recent studies completed by Floriana S. Luppino, M.D., of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands have provided valuable evidence of the correlation between Obesity and Clinical depression with American subjects being more conclusive than our European cousins. The association between  these two conditions was significant with adults more so then children. The next correlation between these two conditions is that developing one of these conditions, will more than likely lead to the secondary condition becoming prevalent.



Now, more than ever it is time to instill in our children healthy habits from a balanced diet right through to regular exercise that they can take into adult life. Not only will this aid their bodily growth and the regulation of their weight, recent studies have found the linkage between fit and healthy children and an increase in self confidence and an increase their academic results. This is the only preventative outside of radical expensive medical and pharmaceutical treatments for these conditions. This may be your children’s only chance to enable them to lead a healthy, normal and active life throughout adulthood.

Below are more detailed articles from the news around this topic   

Study Explores Links Between Obesity and Depression

Meta-analysis confirms that obesity increases risk of depression and vice versa

People who are obese are at increased risk of developing depression and, conversely, depressed people are at increased risk of developing obesity, according to a meta-analysis published in the March issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry.

Floriana S. Luppino, M.D., of the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues reviewed the medical literature up to March 2008 on overweight (body mass index 25 to 29.99) and obesity (body mass index ≥30) and their links to depression. The reviewers screened 2,937 articles, reviewed 80, and performed meta-analyses on 15 studies covering 58,745 subjects.

The reviewers found that baseline overweight and obesity both increased the risk of onset of depression at follow-up (odds ratios, 1.27 and 1.55, respectively). This association between obesity and depression was stronger among American than European subjects and for depressive disorder as opposed to depressive symptoms. The association between overweight and depression was significant for adults (20 to 59 and ≥60 years of age) but not for subjects under 20 years of age. Conversely, depression increased the risk for developing obesity (odds ratio, 1.58) but was not predictive of overweight. Read More…

Obesity and depression are a two-way street

Obesity, Luppino and colleagues found, increases the risk of depression in initially non-depressed individuals by 55 percent and depression increases the risk of obesity in initially normal-weight individuals by 58 percent.

Luppino said the analysis was not designed to determine a given person's risk of depression, only to figure out how much obesity increased that risk. However, for comparison, a recent study funded by the National Institute of Mental Health found that nearly one out of four cases of obesity is associated with a mood or anxiety disorder.

These findings, the NIMH notes on its website, appear to support what other studies have found - that obesity, which is on the increase in the US - is associated with increasing rates of depression and other mental health problems.

The new findings stem from pooled data from 15 published studies that looked at whether being overweight or obese is associated with depression, and vice versa. Read More…

Which Comes First, Obesity or Depression?

People who are obese are often diagnosed with clinical depression, but which comes first - the increased weight gain or the depression symptoms? Researchers from Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands have found that it is actually a two way street and each condition influences the other.

………. Those who are depressed can become overweight or obese when they neglect their health due to a feeling of hopelessness. Some turn to food for comfort and can increase their caloric intake beyond their needs. Although exercise can actually relieve depressive symptoms, many depressed patients avoid working out.

Biologically, both obesity and depression are associated with an inflammatory state. Depression can also affect weight by interfering with the endocrine system. Some common antidepressants are also known to increase the risk of weight gain. Read More…