Teen Obesity and Depression
Looking good is one thing that adolescents always strive for. Before going out of the house, you always check if you look good. It would take you hours before you decide on what you wear to a date or to a party. Seeing a pimple in your face in the morning is such a nightmare that you wouldn’t want other people to see you. You’re always concerned about how your hair looks, and if your clothes fit perfectly. These things are typical of teens since adolescence is the period in life when you become too conscious of your appearance. Obesity then is a very big problem for teens. This results to a lot of problems most of the time.
Obesity Leads to Depression
Teens who are obese are deemed to face a lot of physical difficulties, and more often than not, emotional difficulties.
A research in Sweden from Uppsula University conducted a survey to 4,703 teens who are between 15 to 17 years old. They were asked about their weight, height and symptoms of depression. They were also asked to report some of their shameful experiences such as being treated in degrading way, being bullied in class, ignored as if they weren’t present, and if they were made fun by their classmates. Also included in the survey were the status of their parents if they are separated or not and their financial status.
Results of the study revealed that there were more boys who were obese, but more of the girls showed signs of depression. Also, those whose parents are separated or unemployed more likely reported signs of depression.
Having a high body mass index is linked to symptoms of depression. Teens who were obese were more likely to report signs of depression than those who are overweight or those who maintained a healthy weight.
Depression Leads to Obesity
It is often thought of that obesity leads to depression. However, evidences are showing up that mood disorders such as depression can also put an individual at risk for obesity.
Meanwhile, a study done in Cincinnati found that teenagers who are depressed are at a high risk of becoming obese. This is according to a study done at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. 9300 participants were surveyed in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. This was conducted to adolescents who were in grades 7 through 12. It was found out in the study that for adolescents who were not depressed at the beginning of the study, they were likely to be obese the following year when they were depressed.
Depression and obesity have the same biological regulatory pathways in the central nervous center. Also, these disorders have roots in adolescence, making this life stage a critical period in the development of obesity. With the results of these two studies, we can see then that these two disorders are linked together. One may lead to another, and vice versa. So when we prevent one from happening, then we are also preventing the other problem from occurring. Both disorders are increasing in adolescents and prevention would still be the best step to take.
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