Obese People at Higher Risk of Developing Psychiatric Disorders
Monday, May 19th, 2008Over forty-thousand Americans were part of a national health study, in which researchers
determined that obese adults are about twice as likely to develop a mental health
condition as adults who are a normal weight. Such mental health conditions include
depression and anxiety, amongst others. They also believe that even moderately
overweight adults often had higher rates of anxiety disorders.
While still unsure as to whether the excess weight leads directly or indirectly to
mental health problems, the findings do offer some indication that several psychiatric
disorders are more prevalent in overweight people.
Involved in the study, Dr. Nancy Petry mentioned that these obese adults were at higher
risk for having depression (from mild to severe), anxiety disorders such as panic
attacks, irrational phobias, and manic episodes. Also, higher rates of alcoholism,
obsessive-compulsive behavior, and paranoia seem to exist among the obese.