Both depression and obesity are health problems that are frequently encountered around the world. Studies conducted in recent years indicate that there is a relationship between obesity and depression, but cannot determine a full cause-effect relationship.
Studies on this subject, which reminds a little of the egg-chicken phenomenon, suggest that this relationship is bilateral and that many factors can affect this relationship. There are many psychological changes among obese people. It cannot be said that eating habits necessarily indicate a psychological problem. However, it is known that psychosocial disorders increase in individuals with the development of obesity.
The most common problems in obese individuals are feeling of inferiority, decreased self-confidence, shyness, isolation from social life, unemployment, marital problems, boredom and depression. Along with these, the increasing loss of motivation leads to a decrease in physical activity and consequently an increase in obesity problem, creating a vicious circle. The discrimination faced by obese people in social settings in terms of work, marriage or social relations causes their self-esteem to decrease and thus they become more vulnerable to depression. When their working life is reviewed, it is known that security forces, fire departments and airlines do not hire or fire obese individuals.
It is observed that depression develops first after obesity in adults, whereas it is observed that children develop depression first and then obesity. In addition, it is clear that depression affects eating habits and activity level.
It is stated that the relationship between obesity and depression is also affected by leptin hormone. It has been stated that leptin, which provides a feeling of satiety in the body, has an antidepressant-like effect, and that low levels of leptin may be associated with depressive behavior.
Body weights perceived by the individual instead of body mass index were also found to be one of the important causes of depression. It can be said that there is no single cause of the relationship between obesity and depression, it has a multifactorial structure.
When longitudinal studies in the literature are examined, it is seen that obesity increases the risk of depression; It has also been found that depression is an effective factor for the development of obesity. When considered quantitatively, the risk of obese individuals developing depression over time increased by 55%; It was reported that the risk of being obese in depressive individuals increased by 58%.
According to studies that found that obesity is a risk factor for depression, body image is one of the factors affecting depression. Suicidal thoughts and behaviors were found to be significantly higher in women who perceived themselves as overweight.
The most common symptoms of the type of depression we call atypical depression is an increase in appetite and sleep. With the increase in eating as a result of increased appetite, an increase in weight is likely.
According to a study conducted in the USA, the rate of obesity in individuals with atypical depression was significantly higher compared to individuals with or without classical depression.
There are also studies that did not find a relationship between depression and obesity. . According to the study, adult men who are underweight are more likely to be depressive compared to other weight categories; Overweight and obese women were found to be less depressed. These different findings can be thought to stem from cultural differences between Western and Asian countries.
Obesity and overweight are also considered as aesthetic problems or physical defects. This can be considered as a predisposing factor for the development of depression. As a result, there is an intense relationship between Depression and Obesity. This relationship is not only cause and effect relationship but also depends on complex metabolic, psychological and neurobiological dynamics.
Depression affects people in many different ways eating is just a way for that person to feel human and consuming something to nul the pain, if this is there way of coping it’s only a problem when they rely on it too much which leads to overweight they can address it by finding other ways to stimulate themselves into enjoying something else so they can work on maintaining the weight and yes they need encouragement for this, am depressed myself I love food am not overweight because I don’t see food as my comfort gaming and spending most of my time indoors is what I struggle with and so that’s my negative habit am struggling with self isolation I like to call it. Both obesity and social anxiety are dangerous to one health and well being.