Depression and Weight Gain LinkedNew research suggests that suffering from depression might increase your risk for gaining weight and belly fat. While the details surrounding this correlation between depression and weight isn't clear, researchers are certain that a connection exists. A study conducted at the University of Alabama looked at information gathered from 5,115 men and women ages 18 to 30 over a period of 15 years. Every 5 years, patients were asked to report their BMI and any depression symptoms they might be feeling. While everyone in the study gained weight, researchers noted that people who reported symptoms of depression gained more weight more quickly than participants who were not feeling depressed. Depressed subjects were also more likely to accumulate abdominal fat, which is believed to be especially dangerous and increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The possible link between depression and weight gain? Researchers noted that depression can make you more likely to be inactive and less likely to make healthy food choices. They added that focusing on dietary and exercise changes may not be sufficient for addressing obesity if mental health is not also addressed. Dr. Belinda L. Needham, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, concluded that, "We’re not going to understand how to treat obesity if all we focus on is diet and exercise." |
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