Obesity And Depression Are Often Connected, Study Shows

Obesity and depression often go hand and hand, according to the report, "Depression and Obesity in the U.S. Adult Household Population, 2005-2010."

Report findings showed that about 43 percent of adults who suffered from depression were obese. Many were also using antidepressants, while 55 percent of the depressed patients on medication were obese. The researchers added that as depression severity increased, so did the patients' risk of obesity.

"Both depression and obesity impact many aspects of life, and their relationship is naturally complex. Some of the connections are obvious: Obesity can cause low self-esteem, social isolation and stressful health problems. All of them can cause depression. Depression can lead some patients to binge eat and get obese," Tony Tang, an adjunct professor in the department of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, reasoned. "Many aspects of a modern lifestyle can cause both depression and obesity."

Researchers found that gender and race also played a factor in the relationship between depression and obesity. Female patients with depression were more likely than women without mental illness to be obese regardless of their age.

Certain behaviors could also increase obesity risk, including such sedentary behaviors as watching TV alone, playing video games and spending hours on the computer. All of these activities can lead to social isolation as well as weight gain. Numerous antidepressants have also been known to cause weight gain, as well. Yet researchers noted that they found a correlation and not a cause-and-effect relationship.