Health Corner

Depression and anxiety can significantly affect eating habits and lifestyle patterns, often leading to noticeable weight gain and creating a vicious cycle between mood and body weight.

Why Do Emotional Disorders Often Lead to Weight Gain?

• Emotional eating: During low moods, people tend to crave sweet, oily, or snack foods for temporary comfort.

• Impaired appetite regulation: The brain’s response to hunger and fullness weakens, making overeating more likely.

• Reduced activity: Low motivation and fatigue lead to less movement, exercise, and daily activity.

• Sleep problems: Both insomnia and oversleeping disrupt appetite hormones, increasing hunger and cravings.

How Does Emotion-Related Obesity Typically Present?

• Rapid weight gain: Significant increase over several weeks or months, unusual compared to past patterns.

• Food preference changes: Strong cravings for high-calorie “comfort foods” like chocolate, chips, or ice cream.

• Loss of control while eating: Feeling unable to stop eating despite knowing it’s unhealthy, often followed by guilt.

• Emotional symptoms: Persistent sadness, anxiety, insomnia, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal.

What Other Health Risks Are Involved?

• Vicious emotional cycle: Weight gain leads to lower self-esteem, which worsens mood and triggers more eating.

• Metabolic problems: Chronic stress disturbs blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure control.

• Physical discomfort: Persistent fatigue, muscle aches, and lowered immunity increasing illness risk.

• Long-term impact: Higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

How to Effectively Manage Emotion-Related Obesity

• Professional evaluation: Psychiatrists may recommend antidepressant medication or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Emotional stabilization is key before sustainable weight loss.

• Dietary management:

  • Eat regular meals to prevent emotional eating when hungry.

  • Prepare healthy snacks—like nuts, fruits, or yogurt—instead of sugary or fatty foods.

  • Increase intake of Omega-3 fatty acids (from salmon, flaxseeds, etc.) to support emotional stability.

• Gradual exercise:

  • Start with 10–15 minutes of walking daily, increasing to 150 minutes per week.

  • Choose enjoyable activities (such as yoga or dancing) to boost mood while burning calories.

How to Prevent Emotional Disorders from Causing Obesity

• Early warning signs:

  • Persistent low mood lasting more than two weeks.

  • Episodes of binge eating or withdrawing from social life.

  • A sudden weight increase of 3–5 kg in a short period.

• Regular screening: Include mental health assessment in annual check-ups.

• Healthy habits: Ensure sufficient sleep, regular exercise, balanced diet, and positive social interaction.

Depression and anxiety can greatly affect weight control. If you experience ongoing low mood or unexplained weight gain, seek professional help early for assessment and treatment to protect both your mental and physical health.