Obesity and Mental Health

Every day in every corner of the globe, millions of people suffer from mental health issues. While every person¿s journey is unique, we all have the same health concerns and mental health is a global problem.The relationship between obesity and psychological distress is not clear because research conducted so far is not conclusive, with some studies finding that obese people report less mental health than normal-weight individuals, whilst others find that obesity may work as a protective factor that prevents people with weight problems from developing mental health issues. Obesity is associated with a higher risk of having certain mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. Often, this relationship is due to the effects of weight discrimination. People with a larger body size are more likely to experience anxiety disorders. It is unknown exactly why people who have a larger body are more likely to experience anxiety. In addition, major depression is a mood disorder that involves sadness, loss of interest in activities or hobbies, and negative feelings about one¿s self.Thus, obesity and depression have a bidirectional association.