Obesity and mental health issues are connected in several ways. Obesity can be detrimental to mental health and create conditions that cause mental health problems, while mental health issues can lead to obesity. In addition, some medications used to treat mental health disorders, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics, may cause weight gain by changing how the body processes food or through other mechanisms. This article will look at the various ways that obesity and mental health are related, so you can understand how they impact each other. Then, we’ll look at some of the effective treatments available if you are struggling with both obesity and mental health issues.
Feeling like an outsider
When someone is obese, they are at a high risk of being isolated socially. This may happen because people who are obese often cannot physically participate in events or activities that are not tailored to them, such as sports or physical education class. It could also be that others don’t want to interact with them because they’re embarrassed by the person’s weight. The isolation can make someone feel alone, like they don’t belong anywhere, which in turn can lead to low self-esteem or depression.
Depression
Research shows that obese people have up to a 20% higher risk of developing depression. Other factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol also have an impact on mental health. Social stigmatization may also contribute to the risk of feeling sad, ashamed, depressed, or socially isolated.
Anxiety and Stress
People living with obesity often struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and poor body image. One potential cause for this is the stress caused by the stigma that comes from being overweight. When people are unhappy with their weight or body shape, they are more likely to live in a state of constant worry about what others think of them or what may happen because of their weight. This constant feeling of anxiety can contribute to emotional well-being problems such as depression or low self-esteem.
Low Self-Esteem
If you’ve been struggling with body image issues, don’t be ashamed or embarrassed. It’s common for people who are overweight to have feelings of shame, regret, embarrassment or humiliation over the way they look. This may lead to low self-esteem which can affect your mental health in a number of ways. You may become withdrawn and avoid socializing which means that you’re not getting the emotional support that you need. This isolation can make it difficult to manage your mood, resulting in depression or anxiety.
Loneliness
Frequent feelings of loneliness can have an impact on your physical health. For example, it’s been proven that lonely people are more likely to experience high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and depression (according to the study).
Diet affects your emotional well-being
Eating healthy food is the best way to keep your mental health in check. For instance, maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the risk of depression. Obesity has been shown to contribute to bipolar disorder, ADHD, binge eating disorder, substance abuse disorders, etc. Eating healthier can also help you sleep better so you will feel less stressed throughout the day.