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Published on: June 21, 2019
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Obesity and psychological distress
Andrew Steptoe1, Philipp Frank2
1Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London WC1E BT, UK.
Summary
High body weight is linked to poorer mental health, especially depression, with evidence suggesting weight influences distress more than the reverse. Addressing weight stigma is crucial for well-being and effective weight management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Public Health
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Decades of research explore the link between high body weight and mental health.
- Epidemiological, mechanistic, and psychological studies increasingly clarify these associations.
- High body weight is consistently linked to poorer mental health outcomes, particularly depression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize current understanding of the relationship between high body weight and mental health.
- To explore the directionality of the association, focusing on weight influencing mental health.
- To identify mediating biological and psychosocial mechanisms and suggest societal interventions.
Main Methods:
- Review of large-scale population-based epidemiological research.
- Analysis of mechanistic and psychological studies.
- Examination of evidence for bidirectional relationships and mediating factors.
Main Results:
- High body weight is associated with increased depression and depressive symptoms.
- Evidence strongly supports greater body weight causing psychological distress, rather than vice versa.
- Weight stigma and discrimination contribute significantly to psychological distress.
- Systemic inflammation and HPA axis dysregulation are key biological mediators.
Conclusions:
- High body weight negatively impacts mental health, with distress often stemming from the weight itself.
- Weight stigma exacerbates psychological distress and hinders weight management.
- Interventions should focus on changing societal attitudes towards high body weight to improve well-being and promote effective, inclusive health behaviors.
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