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Depression,
Anxiety are linked to obesity, unhealthy
habits
Newswise — People who suffer from depression
or anxiety are much more likely to be obese
and to smoke — both major risk factors for
chronic disease — according to a large
nationwide study.
“The relationship between obesity and
depression is plausible for several
reasons,” said lead author Tara Strine, of
the Division of Adult and Community Health
in the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
“First, some patients who are overweight may
be prone to depression because of societal
attitudes towards obesity.
Also, while depression can lead to decreased
appetite and weight loss in some
individuals, others eat more and gain
weight.”
The study, in the March/April issue of the
journal General Hospital Psychiatry,
compiled data from more than 200,000 adults
in 38 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
All participated in the 2006 Behavioral Risk
Factor Surveillance System, a large
telephone survey that monitors the
prevalence of key health behaviors.
The survey asked respondents if they were
currently depressed or had ever had a
diagnosis of depression or anxiety.
Other questions addressed smoking habits,
weight, physical activity and alcohol
consumption.
About 8.7 percent of the respondents had
current depression, 15.7 percent had a
previous depression diagnosis and 11.3
percent had had an anxiety diagnosis at some
time.
People with current depression or a previous
diagnosis of depression were 60 percent more
likely to be obese and twice as likely to
smoke as those who were not depressed, the
research found.
Those with an anxiety disorder were 30
percent more likely to be obese and twice as
likely to smoke as those without anxiety
were.
The study also said that those with
depression and anxiety were more likely to
be physically inactive and to be binge or
heavy drinkers.
“Chronic diseases are risk factors for
depression, so [the health care system] must
be attuned to recognizing and treating the
depression that often coexists with such
chronic diseases,” Strine said.
“This is an important and well-done study
that will hopefully reach a large audience
and continue to raise awareness,” said
Evette Joy Ludman, Ph.D., of Seattle-based
Group Health Cooperative.
“Although health care providers have
increasingly become aware of the link
between chronic conditions such as diabetes
and depression and the links between smoking
and mood disorders, I think they are only
now beginning to be aware of the broader
link between depression, obesity and
unhealthful behaviors,” Ludman said.
General Hospital Psychiatry is a
peer-reviewed research journal published
bimonthly by Elsevier Science. For
information about the journal, contact Wayne
Katon, M.D., at (206) 543-7177.
Strine TW, et al. The association of
depression and anxiety with obesity and
unhealthy behaviors among community-dwelling
US adults. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 30(2), 2008.
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