Examining Associations Between Women's Mental Health and Obesity
Jennifer V A Kemp1, Vivek Kumar1, April Saleem2
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Foothills Campus, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Matheson Centre for Mental Health Research & Education, University of Calgary, Foothills Campus, 3280 Hospital Drive Northwest, 1D-57, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada.
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|July 27, 2023
Summary
Obesity commonly co-occurs with mental illness, particularly affecting women. Understanding the link between weight gain and mental health is crucial for improving outcomes, especially during vulnerable life stages.
Area of Science:
- Women's Health
- Mental Health
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Obesity is a frequent comorbidity with mental illness.
- Women experience disproportionate weight gain from mental health medications.
- Weight gain significantly impacts mental illness symptoms and self-esteem.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the association between women's mental health and obesity.
- To highlight the impact of weight gain on mental illness course in women.
- To focus on vulnerable life stages in women.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies.
- Synthesis of research on obesity and mental illness in women.
- Analysis of medication side effects and their impact.
Main Results:
- Weight gain is linked to the cause and progression of mental illness in women.
- Self-esteem is negatively affected by weight gain associated with mental illness.
- Medication-induced weight gain is a significant concern for women's mental health.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the obesity-mental illness link in women is vital for better health outcomes.
- Addressing weight management is key to improving mental health treatment for women.
- Further research is needed on vulnerable populations and life stages.
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