There have been debates and indeed, different opinions of which comes first to a person: is depression an end result of obesity or obesity stands as a byproduct of depression. Studies have been made to pinpoint how one affects the other. However, the mystery remains uncertain and the issue still baffles the mind of researchers the world over!
As to why the issue was made important is that if medical science will be able to know exactly what triggers what, it will be easier for health care providers to help their patients overcome one or both conditions. Treatments will be more target-specific to the problem thus preventing it from getting worse.
It was a known fact that there’s a link between depression and obesity. A depressed person is most likely to suffer obesity in the future while those battling obesity tend to get depressed easily. Some say, it has something to do with our hormonal behavior which tends to go haywire in both events. The reason why these things are important for seniors to know is that they will be able to understand their condition better, helping them deal with their feelings better.
What’s undeniable however is that the positioning of these two is interchangeable. An obese person is indeed susceptible to depression. In case of an obese senior, it is almost always their health that depresses them, running in close second is their physical appearance and of course, limited range of motion. The latter denying them of time to have fun with their family and friends.
On the other hand, depression creates havoc inside our bodies. It messes up our hormonal behavior, sending false signals to different parts of the body. When we are stressed, we usually find ourselves craving for food even if we are not hungry. Comfort foods, which are usually sugary and sweet, give the body a certain high in a way that we often seek them when we need uplifting. Also, when a person is depressed, his energy level is too low that the best thing to do is to lie down and be immobile for as long as the body permits. Poor eating habits and non-activity are the perfect combination for obesity so in a way, obesity may be a direct result of depression.
What researchers suggest is for health care providers to examine closely the root cause of the problem before intervening or attempting cure. Sometimes, an obese person does not always require dieting especially if the person is nursing a depression deep within. The same goes for prescribing anti-depressant to someone who only needs proper nutritional counseling. They further recommend to treat an obese/depressed person for both conditions at the same time instead of treating each individually.