The Impact of Obesity On Your Mental Health

Obesity has emerged as a top health condition that impacts 13% of the world’s adult population. Obesity can put people at risk of deadly health conditions that include heart attack, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and mental health disorders.

What are the effects?

Studies have been conducted and released that obesity very often is associated with anxiety disorders and mood swings. It means that people who are obese are more likely to experience conditions like depression and anxiety. The way obesity impacts mental health varies from individual to individual. Some people depend on overeating due to emotional distress. For them, food serves as a way to deal with the stress, thereby resulting in weight gain.

Some people, on the other hand, deal with emotional distress due to obesity. They may feel negative about themselves because of weight. Moreover, people who are overweight may also encounter stigma and judgment from society. These negativities can impact their self-esteem. Obese people may find it challenging to participate in many social activities that make it more challenging for them to cope with their emotions. Moreover, obesity is also associated with physical health issues, which alleviate stress.

Anxiety is categorized as a condition that involves excessive worry. People who are obese are more at risk of anxiety disorders that include panic disorder, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety disorder. Some of the reasons that obese individuals are at more risk of anxiety include:

• Judgment
• Increased stigma
• Lower self-esteem
• Health problems

Furthermore, obesity and anxiety also share common risk factors such as childhood abuse history, neuroticism, tendency to avoid stress, sensitivity to criticism.