Mind and body: the link between obesity and mental health

A tidal wave of high-calorie, nutrient-poor processed foods, coupled with increasingly inactive lifestyles, has driven global obesity rates through the roof. Once viewed solely as a physical condition, the social stigmas of obesity can create a devastating cycle of shame, anxiety, and depression. The psychological burden is often hidden beneath the surface, with sufferers often trapped in a loop where mental health issues can fuel overeating, while the stigma and isolation of obesity can worsen mental health.¹

But it’s not just about food. It’s about the mind. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders are commonly seen in people who are obese, exacerbating the struggle.¹ In some cases, medications used to treat mental illness can lead to weight gain, but the link runs deeper. 

Obesity is a mental health crisis in its own right, and addressing it requires more than just diet plans and gym memberships. It demands we confront the underlying emotional toll it takes on millions worldwide.

The link between obesity and poor mental health

The link between obesity and poor mental health is backed by a growing body of research. People with obesity are up to 36% more likely to self-report symptoms of depression, and clinically diagnosed major depressive disorder may occur in up to 34% of cases.² Similarly, a relationship is observed whereby obesity increases the risk of anxiety symptoms by 40% depending on various other comorbid factors.²

Depression itself is a risk factor for developing obesity, as people with depression are around 55% more likely to become obese over time.³ The bidirectional relationship means that as obesity increases, so does the risk of mental health issues, and vice versa. This connection is particularly worrying for younger people, as around 70% of depressed children and adolescents are at an increased risk of obesity, youngsters who are obese have a 40% increased  risk of depression, with the emotional toll of obesity growing as they age.⁴

Why is this the case?

One of the most significant drivers behind the link between obesity and mental health disorders is social stigma.⁵ People living with obesity often face discrimination, isolation, and judgement in various aspects of their lives, from the workplace to healthcare settings. This ongoing social pressure can lead to increased feelings of shame, low self-esteem, and loneliness, which often corresponds with higher rates of anxiety and depression in individuals with obesity. The constant negative social feedback can make it difficult for people to seek help, leading to a vicious cycle where mental health deteriorates, and weight-related issues worsen.⁵

The mechanisms behind it all

Though we’re making great strides in removing the societal stigma associated with obesity, we do need to understand the biological mechanisms that drive the disease to progress in the first place. For starters, diets high in sugar and refined fats can negatively affect brain function.⁶ These hypercaloric diets interfere with certain bodily processes in the brain, such as the systems regulating emotions, making individuals more prone to anxiety and depression. 

Animal studies support this, showing that obesity-prone rats experience elevated anxiety upon weight gain, and mice fed a high-fat, high-sugar diet displayed impaired memory and increased anxious behaviours.^7,7

Inflammation and mental health

Elevated levels of inflammatory markers are frequently observed in individuals with obesity.⁹ These inflammatory markers are also associated with the development of depression and anxiety, suggesting that the physical effects of obesity may contribute to mental health issues.⁹

Managing obesity

Fortunately, addressing obesity can lead to improvements in mental health. But managing obesity isn’t about quick fixes or fad diets. It’s about creating real, lasting changes in how we approach food and health. 

GLP-1 medications, originally used for diabetes, are proving to be powerful tools in helping people manage their weight. These medications work by reducing appetite, making it easier to make healthier choices without feeling deprived. But for true longevity and lasting success, it takes more than medication.

Health coaching plays a huge role in shifting how we think about food. Instead of obsessing over calories or stepping on the scales every day, health coaching focuses on building a positive, sustainable relationship with food. The focus is on eating balanced, nutritious meals, like whole foods that fuel your body and make you feel good. It helps to show you how to deviate from feeling guilty when it comes to eating the foods that give you joy, and instead get used to listening to your body’s natural hunger cues and breaking free from unhealthy habits. With the right support and mindset, managing obesity becomes about total wellbeing, rather than just weight.

The numan take

Obesity is a chronic, complex disease affecting both body and mind. While just eating less and moving more works for some people, for most, managing obesity requires a holistic approach, addressing mental health, building sustainable habits, and sometimes, medical intervention like GLP-1 medications. By tackling obesity in this way, with professional support, real, lasting change becomes possible.

References

1. Luppino FS, de Wit LM, Bouvy PF, Stijnen T, Cuijpers P, Penninx BW, Zitman FG: Overweight, obesity, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010, 67: 220-229.

2. Fulton S, Décarie-Spain L, Fioramonti X, Guiard B, Nakajima S (2022) The menace of obesity to depression and anxiety prevalence. Trends Endocrinol Metab 33:18–35

3. Luppino FS, de Wit LM, Bouvy PF, Stijnen T, Cuijpers P, Penninx BW, Zitman FG: Overweight, obesity, and depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010, 67: 220-229.

4. Mannan M, Mamun A, Doi S, Clavarino A. Prospective associations between depression and obesity for adolescent males and females- A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. PLoS One [Internet]. 2016;11(6):e0157240. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0157240

5. de Wit LM, Fokkema M, van Straten A, Lamers F, Cuijpers P, Penninx BWJH. Depressive and anxiety disorders and the association with obesity, physical, and social activities. Depress Anxiety [Internet]. 2010;27(11):1057–65. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/da.20738

6. Taylor ZB, Stevenson RJ, Ehrenfeld L, Francis HM. The impact of saturated fat, added sugar and their combination on human hippocampal integrity and function: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neurosci Biobehav Rev [Internet]. 2021;130:91–106. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0149763421003511

7. Alonso-Caraballo Y, Hodgson KJ, Morgan SA, Ferrario CR, Vollbrecht PJ. Enhanced anxiety-like behavior emerges with weight gain in male and female obesity-susceptible rats. Behav Brain Res [Internet]. 2018;360:81–93. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.12.002

8. André C, Dinel A-L, Ferreira G, Layé S, Castanon N. Diet-induced obesity progressively alters cognition, anxiety-like behavior and lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behavior: focus on brain indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activation. Brain Behav Immun [Internet]. 2014;41:10–21. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bbi.2014.03.01

9. Berk M, Williams LJ, Jacka FN, O’Neil A, Pasco JA, Moylan S, et al. So depression is an inflammatory disease, but where does the inflammation come from? BMC Med [Internet]. 2013;11:200. Available from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-11-200