Many people associate excess weight with depression, but the two seem to be even more related than we might think.
As reported byADVICE.NEWS , according to the latest study, an increase in depressive symptoms is associated with a subsequent increase in body weight, if measurements are taken after a month.
Let's find out more about this correlation.
How it was discovered
The study involved more than 2,000 adults, with a particular focus on those who were overweight or obese.
Surprisingly, there was no clear association between higher overall depressive symptoms and higher body weight.
To collect information, scientists used data from a COVID-19 study.
Participants answered digital questionnaires about their mental well-being and body weight every month for nine months during the pandemic.
The results of the study revealed a remarkable pattern: for every increase in a person's typical level of depressive symptoms, their weight increased by 45 g within a month.
Interestingly, this weight change was only seen in people who were overweight or obese, highlighting the tendency of this group to gain weight as feelings of depression increase.
Why is it important to know about this?
The researchers suggest that monitoring and addressing depressive symptoms in people who are overweight or obese may be beneficial for both their mental and physical well-being.
Interestingly, the study found no evidence that weight changes were associated with perceived stress or anxiety.
Previously, we talked about questions about weight loss that are embarrassing to ask.
