Depression - is it related to your weight?

We have recently noticed that many of our weight loss patients have reported a history of depression, anxiety or both. So we have decided to take a look into whether being overweight is causing depression or it’s just a coincidence.   

As expected, not being happy with your weight can have an impact on your mood, however, does it cause you to be that unhappy that you become clinically depressed?  

So, lets now look at another side – does already having depression cause weight gain resulting in obesity?  

Here we look at various studies and statistics to establish the correlation between the two. 

What factors contribute to obesity and overweight? 

According to the world health organisation, obesity and overweight are caused by an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories burned. On a global scale, there has been: 

• An increase in the consumption of energy-dense foods high in fat and sugars; and an increase in physical inactivity because of the increasingly sedentary character of many sorts of job, changing modes of transportation, and increasing urbanisation. 
   
• Environmental and societal changes associated with development, as well as a lack of supportive policies in sectors such as health, agriculture, transportation, urban planning, environment, food processing, distribution, marketing, and education, frequently cause changes in dietary and physical activity patterns. 

Can gaining weight lead to depression? 

Overeating, poor food choices, and a sedentary lifestyle are all linked to depression and anxiety and obesity may develop as a result of weight gain over time.  

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 43 percent of adults with depression are obese. (1) 

Obesity can lead to depression risk factors such as: 

• Reduced physical activity 
• Changes in thought patterns, such as rumination 
• Changes in appetite 
• Changes to the hormone and cytokine systems 

Diet can affect both weight and mental health. A diet that is high in fat and sugar or includes more than the recommended number of calories can increase the risk of obesity. 

People who eat a healthy diet are less likely to experience or develop depression symptoms. 

Can depression make it more difficult to lose weight? 

Depression shows many symptoms, these may differ per person, listed below are some of the main symptoms: 

• Reduced exercise 
  Also known as, Anhedonia, (the loss of pleasure or interest in normally enjoyable activities) is a fundamental sign of depression. Anhedonia can have an impact on a person's eating habits. 
  
  Anhedonia and certain mental states, such as depression, may be linked to behaviours that make losing weight more difficult, such as discontinuing a weight loss programme or lowering cardiovascular exercise. 
  
  High levels of anhedonia in obese adults may also contribute to decreased fitness levels and an increased chance of quitting a weight loss programme. 
   
• Irregular Sleep  
  Depression can interfere with sleep habits and cause people to have problems sleeping. Some antidepressants might also cause insomnia. 
  
  Inadequate or poor-quality sleep increases the chance of being overweight or obese, as well as metabolic abnormalities, dysfunctional eating patterns, and decreased physical activity. 
   
• Emotional Eating 
  According to a 2019 study emotional eating, or eating in response to negative emotions, has been related to depression and the development of obesity. (2)
  
  The researchers concluded that people who ate emotionally more often and slept for shorter periods of time at night were more likely to gain weight. 

How to manage weight gain caused by depression? 

According to research, boosting physical activity and sleep length may help people lower their intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods as a reaction to negative feelings. This could help them control their weight. (2) 

If a person's sleep is being affected by depression, or if they believe antidepressants are causing insomnia, a doctor may be able to recommend remedies or a prescription adjustment. 

If people lack motivation to exercise, they can begin with short bursts of low-impact activity such as walking. People can seek guidance from a healthcare professional and discuss an exercise programme that may be beneficial. 

You can find more information about the health benefits of exercise on the NHS website here.

People may also need to change their diet by cutting or increasing calories, depending on their circumstances. 

How can we reduce obesity and depression? 

Obesity and depression, as well as the disorders associated with them, can mostly be preventable. 

Supportive settings and communities play a critical role in moulding people's choices by making the choice of healthier foods and regular physical activity the easiest (the one that is most accessible, available, and affordable), hence preventing overweight and obesity. 

So, what can you do to help? 

Limit total fat and sugar energy intake; increase consumption of fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains, and nuts; and engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults).  

Check out some of our dedicated weight loss blogs for tips and meal inspiration:  

• How to Start Losing Weight at Home 
• How a Calorie Deficit Can Help with Weight Loss 
• Our 5 Best Apps for Healthy Weight Loss 
• Foods to avoid while using Saxenda 
• Weight loss - Getting the Best Results from Orlistat 

Weight loss aids 

Many people find that trying to lose weight with just exercise and healthy eating alone can be difficult, especially if you suffer with depression and lack motivation. That’s why there are various weight loss aids available to give a helping hand when needed.  

At Oxford Online Pharmacy we offer a weight loss service providing weight loss aids for those eligible and offer ongoing support you with your progress.  

Well known available tablet-based aids such as orlistat, Alli, XLS medical, Adios, Orlos, Xenical are among the treatments. As well as a recently launched once-daily injection called Saxenda, a popular option for those that don’t get on with oral medication. 

These weight loss aids differ in price, strength, method and action and one may be more suitable for you than the other. This is why it is important to do your research. Luckily, we have done a lot of it for you – check out some of our weight loss aid comparison blogs for more information:  

• Weight Loss Aids - What are my options? 
• Understanding the Differences Between Orlistat, Xenical, and Alli 
• Saxenda vs orlistat - which is the better choice? 

To conclude: depression – is it related to your weight?  

A strong correlation has been found between weight gain and depression and vice versa. Starting with taking steps to reduce your weight is an important option to help reduce your low mood. 

Studies have shown that healthy eating and exercise will not only help you lose weight, but it may start to improve your depression symptoms too.  

Therefore, if you find yourself in a depression – weight gain spiral, we encourage you to get in touch with a member of our healthcare team to see how we can help you. With our expert GMC registered doctors, our motivational and informative blogs, and our weight loss aids, we are dedicated to help find a solution. 

References: 

1. Depression and Obesity in the U.S. Adult Household Population, 2005–2010, NCHS Data Brief No. 167, October 2014, Laura A. Pratt, Ph.D.; and Debra J. Brody, M.P.H.
2. Konttinen, H., van Strien, T., Männistö, S. et al. Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: a population-based prospective study. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 16, 28 (2019).