By Melinda Maryniuk, RDN, MEd, CDCES
The short answer: yes. People who have excess weight or obesity are more likely to have an increased risk for depression. The opposite is also true. Those who struggle with mental health are also more likely to have difficulty with weight management. Here are five things everyone should know about the connection between these two conditions, and what you can do if you’re dealing with one or both.
Acknowledge the link. Some researchers have found that for people who carry excess weight, there is a 55% greater risk of developing depression. Similarly, 43% of adults with depression also have overweight or obesity. One does not cause the other – but they are associated. Excess weight can also lead to joint pain, diabetes and hypertension – which are risk factors for depression.
While anxiety, stress and depression are most often linked with overeating and weight gain, they can also lead to disordered eating habits including skipping meals or eating too little leading to weight loss. Thus, it is important to recognize the link between your mental and physical health – and know there are things you can do to decrease your risk.
Depression is treatable. Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in doing things that are normally enjoyable. Everyone has bouts of the blues now and then, but if the feelings are chronic, don’t hesitate to talk about it with your healthcare provider or reach out to a mental health professional. There are a variety of effective treatments including talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, medicines, and more.
Understand your medicines. Many anti-depression medicines are linked with weight gain. Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider and learn if your medicines for one condition may be making treatment of another condition harder. Keep in mind that not everyone responds in the same way to medicines. What may cause weight gain for one person may not do the same for you. Also, know that there are many different medicines that work in different ways. Talking about your symptoms or concerns with your provider can help you find the right type and dose of medicine that works for you.
Reduce the risks. There are a few things you can do that are helpful for both weight management and mental health.
First, make time to be more physically active. Engaging in exercise on a regular basis boosts the body’s natural depression-fighting endorphins.
Find supportive friends, family members, or neighbors whose company you enjoy and create a walking group. Choose to walk by scenery that makes you smile.
Join an online weight management support group, like ours – click here to join.
Talk with your primary care provider to see if there are additional strategies to address weight management that you may not have tried before, such as one of the newer weight loss medications or cognitive behavioral therapy. It may also be beneficial to talk with a dietitian about creating an individualized meal plan that works for you.
Stay engaged with your care providers. Chronic conditions require chronic care. Both weight management and mood disorders may need life-long attention and support, even when treatment goals are met for maintenance and to reduce risks of relapse. Seek additional help from specialists if needed, such as a mental health counselor or a diabetes care and education specialist.
Excess weight and depression are linked – but one does not have to lead to the other. There is much that can be done to support enjoying good health while living with both conditions. Take the first step towards better managing your weight and mental health by scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider, joining a support group, or simply starting to take a daily walk outside. Your journey to better health can start now!
There are medical treatments (medications and surgery) that can help many people sustainably lose more weight than lifestyle efforts alone. If you’ve reached your “best weight” and feel that additional weight loss would improve your health, talk to your physician about the medical treatments available. To find a doctor near you who specializes in weight management, click here.
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This article was sponsored by Novo Nordisk Canada. All content is created independently by My Weight – What To Know with no influence from Novo Nordisk.
