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Related Concept Videos

Anxiety: Overview01:18

Anxiety: Overview

Anxiety is a common mental disorder featuring excessive worry, fear, and apprehension, significantly affecting daily life. People with anxiety disorders experience persistent and intense anxiety, interrupting their everyday functioning.
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Anorexia Nervosa01:28

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in adipocytes...
Generalized Anxiety Disorder01:30

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is a chronic condition characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry that persists for at least six months, significantly interfering with daily functioning. Unlike situational anxiety, which arises in response to specific stressors, GAD often occurs without a clear cause. Individuals may experience disproportionate worry about work, health, or relationships. For instance, a person might continuously fear poor health despite normal medical evaluations or...
Binge Eating Disorders01:23

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
Social Anxiety Disorder01:28

Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where one might face humiliation, rejection, embarrassment, or negative evaluation. This disorder leads individuals to avoid activities like casual conversations, public speaking, or seemingly simple tasks such as eating, signing documents, or swimming, in public settings. Its impact extends beyond discomfort, often significantly interfering with daily functioning and quality of life.

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Updated: May 25, 2026

Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
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Anxiety disorders and obesity.

L Lykouras1, J Michopoulos

  • 12nd Department of Psychiatry, Attikon General Hospital, University of Athens, Medical School, Athens, Greece.

Psychiatrike = Psychiatriki
|January 25, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Obesity is a growing public health concern, and its link to anxiety disorders is complex and not fully understood. Research indicates a positive association with some anxiety disorders, but more investigation is needed.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry and Public Health
  • Mental Health Research
  • Obesity Studies

Background:

  • Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent, while obesity is a major global health issue.
  • The relationship between high body weight and mental health, particularly anxiety, remains under-researched compared to low body weight conditions.
  • Existing research suggests a potential link between obesity and anxiety disorders, but findings are inconsistent and require further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the multifaceted association between obesity and various anxiety disorders.
  • To review existing literature and identify patterns in the relationship between high body weight and conditions like panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.
  • To highlight gaps in current knowledge regarding the causality and specific characteristics of this comorbidity.

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Influence of Emotional Factors on the Efficacy of Acupuncture Treatment for Overweight Complicated with Hyperlipidemia: A Retrospective Cohort Study
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Published on: November 21, 2025

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: May 10, 2022

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating the link between obesity and anxiety disorders.
  • Analysis of reported associations with specific anxiety disorders such as panic disorder, specific phobia, social phobia, and generalized anxiety disorder.
  • Examination of potential bidirectional causality and the influence of obesity treatments and personality traits.

Main Results:

  • A positive association between obesity and panic disorder (especially in women), specific phobia, and social phobia is frequently reported.
  • Evidence for a link with generalized anxiety disorder is mixed, with some studies reporting positive and others negative associations.
  • Limited evidence connects obesity with agoraphobia, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder; no association found with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Conclusions:

  • The relationship between obesity and anxiety disorders is complex and warrants further investigation, particularly regarding causality and specific disorder subtypes.
  • Obesity may be associated with specific anxiety disorders, but methodological differences in studies complicate definitive conclusions.
  • Understanding the psychological profile of individuals with obesity, including personality traits and self-esteem, is crucial for addressing comorbid anxiety and improving patient care.