Depression and Obesity

To summarize the recent literature regarding the interaction between the public health concerns of obesity and depression and provide preliminary recommendations for assessment and management of patients with co-occurring obesity and depression. RECENT FINDINGS : Recent studies have reinforced that while there is a bi-directional link between obesity and depression, there is stronger evidence that obesity contributes to the development of depression. Recent research has also elucidated potential mediating factors in the association between depression and obesity (e.g., demographical, biological, and psychological) as well as a moderating effect of treatment of depression on outcomes for treatment of obesity. There is evidence to suggest that in co-occurring depression and obesity, it is beneficial to treat depression first. Cognitive behavioral therapies have demonstrated effectiveness in treating co-occurring depression and obesity and there is preliminary evidence suggesting that increasing emotion regulation and reducing weight bias internalization may be important treatment targets.