The Complexity Science Hub and the Medical University of Vienna completed a thorough investigation that shows a strong correlation between obesity and an elevated risk of mental problems. According to study conducted between 1997 and 2014. Mental diagnoses such depression, nicotine addiction, anxiety, eating disorders, personality disorders, and psychosis-spectrum disorders frequently appear before obesity.
Obesity
A person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being are all referred to as their mental health. It includes people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours as well as their coping mechanisms, social interactions, and decision-making processes. A person’s complete well-being depends on their mental health, which is also necessary for them to reach their full potential, deal with everyday challenges, work efficiently, and give back to their communities.
Mental health
Contrarily, obesity is a medical condition marked by an excessive buildup of body fat that poses a risk to health. Body mass index (BMI), which is determined by dividing a person’s weight in kilogrammes by the square of their height in metres, is a typical basis for defining it. Obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or greater.
Key Finding of the Study
- Obesity is strongly associated with a higher risk of developing a number of mental problems.
- Obesity is typically identified before psychiatric illnesses show symptoms.
- With the exception of schizophrenia and nicotine addiction. Women who are obese are more likely to experience the majority of mental diseases.
Obesity and Mental health
It’s interesting to note that the study casts doubt on the notion that psychopharmacological drugs are the only factor contributing to the link between mental problems and fat. The evidence does not support this explanation for depression or other mental illnesses. Even though it may be true for schizophrenia.
Gender Disparities
The study also found notable variations across genders, with women having a higher risk of most diseases than males. For instance, obese women had nearly three times as many diagnosed depressive episodes than non-obese women. Obese males had a twice as high risk of being impacted. But compared to obese women, obese men showed a higher rate of nicotine addiction.
Obesity as a Risk Factor
The study emphasises the significance of identifying obesity as a risk factor for both physical and mental health issues given the significant prevalence of obesity worldwide and its link to metabolic diseases.
Measures to be taken
- Screening: Comprehensive screening for mental health difficulties in obese people is essential for prevention and proper treatment. Particularly in young age groups where the risk is most prominent.
- Consultation: Consulting the professional at an early stage who can improve one’s diet plan and increase physical activity can lead to a lot of improvement.
In order to discover statistically significant sex differences and ascertain the relative risks of obesity-related comorbidities, the study used data from an Austrian population-wide national registry of inpatient hospitalisations. The results indicate the need to promote early consultation with professionals for timely diagnosis and intervention and to increase awareness of psychiatric illnesses in obese patients.
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