Saturday, June 7, 2008

Depression makes you obese

According to a paper published in the March 2008 issue of Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, there is a strong link between depression and obesity. While it can be understood that being obese leads to depression, a team of scientists led by Sarah M. Markowitz conclude in their review paper that being depressed leads to obesity in a person as well.

According to the scientists from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, people who are depressed may be more likely to become obese because of physiological changes in their hormone and immune systems that occur in depression. Due to depression, they also take poor care of themselves and do not adhere to fitness regiments, participate in overeating, and have negative thoughts.

Scientists feel that treatment for obesity and depression should be linked. Exercise and stress reduction can help to manage both obesity and depression at the same time. They also suggest that, dieting, which can worsen mood, and antidepressants, which can cause weight gain, should be minimized.

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